HIV decline associated with behavior change in eastern Zimbabwe

Science. 2006 Feb 3;311(5761):664-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1121054.

Abstract

Few sub-Saharan African countries have witnessed declines in HIV prevalence, and only Uganda has compelling evidence for a decline founded on sexual behavior change. We report a decline in HIV prevalence in eastern Zimbabwe between 1998 and 2003 associated with sexual behavior change in four distinct socioeconomic strata. HIV prevalence fell most steeply at young ages-by 23 and 49%, respectively, among men aged 17 to 29 years and women aged 15 to 24 years-and in more educated groups. Sexually experienced men and women reported reductions in casual sex of 49 and 22%, respectively, whereas recent cohorts reported delayed sexual debut. Selective AIDS-induced mortality contributed to the decline in HIV prevalence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Cohort Studies
  • Condoms
  • Disease Outbreaks* / prevention & control
  • Emigration and Immigration
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / mortality
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Risk-Taking
  • Sexual Behavior*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Zimbabwe / epidemiology