HIV prevention in Tanzania: the role of types of sexual partnerships, early sexual histories and community factors

在年轻人中预防艾滋病毒是一个紧迫的优先事项。研究表明，在学校开展性教育等预防干预措施可以增加有关艾滋病毒以及性健康和生殖健康的知识。然而，这些干预措施未能减少感染艾滋病毒和其他性传播感染的年轻人人数。年轻人对如何避免艾滋病毒和其他性风险的了解与实际的行为改变之间存在差距。我们需要找到在撒哈拉以南非洲年轻人中预防艾滋病毒的有效方法。这项研究将使用最近对坦桑尼亚农村地区13000多名年轻人进行的调查收集的数据。年轻人告诉我们他们与谁发生过性关系，并描述了他们与最近的性伴侣的关系类型。我们可以制作一张地图，看看感染艾滋病毒的年轻人是否住在某些地区（如靠近主要道路或城镇）。分析这些信息将帮助我们了解年轻人最有可能在何时何地冒险。这项研究的结果将用于设计干预措施，帮助年轻人减少被感染的风险。

Nature of proposed researchHIV prevention among young people is an urgent priority. Research has shown that prevention interventions such as sex education in schools can increase knowledge about HIV and sexual and reproductive health. However, such interventions have not been able to reduce the number of young people infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). There is a gap between knowledge of how to avoid HIV and other sexual risks among young people and actual behaviour change. We need to find effective ways to prevent HIV among young people in sub-Saharan Africa.This research will use data collected during a recent survey of over 13,000 young people in rural Tanzania. Young people told us who they have sex with and described the type of relationship with each of their recent sexual partners. We can make a map to see if young people infected with HIV live in certain areas eg near to a major road or town. Analysing this information will help us to understand where and when a young person is most likely to take risks. The results of this research will be used to design interventions that will help young people to reduce their risk of being infected.