HIV risk behavioral surveillance: a methodology for monitoring behavioral trends

This article summarizes issues and recommendations for conducting HIV risk behavioral surveillance surveys (BSS) based on experiences from ten BSS projects in eight countries in Asia and Africa.

BSS consists of systematic and repeated cross-sectional surveys of HIV and sexually transmitted disease-related behaviors, with other knowledge and attitudinal variables added where appropriate. Its major purpose and utility is in detecting trends among selected vulnerable and high-risk population groups whose behavioral change can have the most impact on the epidemic. BSS is also useful for tracking trends in behaviors over time in regions exposed to HIV prevention activities, as a contributing component to the comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of interventions.

(i) implement BSS as an essential adjunct to HIV/STD epidemiological surveillance; (ii) use BSS for evaluation purposes in combination with process data and triangulate results with qualitative research; (iii) choose sentinel groups based on epidemiological considerations, evaluation and monitoring needs, representative sampling frames, and political and cultural considerations; (iv) maintain 1-year intervals between survey waves for most groups in order to provide yearly updates on behavioral trends for programmatic adjustments; (v) use internationally standardized indicators and question wording; (vi) maintain strict quality control standards to enhance data validity and reliability; and (vii) develop a clear dissemination strategy during BSS design to increase the likelihood of utilization of BSS results.

BSS represents a cost-effective way to determine whether programmatic behavioral targets and goals are being met, to identify persisting risk behaviors over time, and to indicate whether new intervention approaches are necessary.