In order to deepen the understanding of risk factors associated with HIV infection in the Kagera region of Tanzania and to investigate the potentials of communicating with the people in planning for interventions, two studies were performed in the districts of Bukoba Urban, Bukoba Rural and Muleba in 1989.

The HIV prevalence of these areas ranged between 4.5% and 24.2% according to the prevalence study performed earlier in 1987.

The studies involved the community in ward meetings on the one hand, and previously studied individuals on the other hand.

The studies aimed both at conveying to the people the results of a previously performed study and at collecting new data using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods in order to better understand the associated risk factors, perceived or real, and what suggestions the community could offer for reducing HIV transmission in the region.

From the initial study, awareness about AIDS was found to be universal.

Change of sexual partners and infection with syphilis were found to be the major risk factors for HIV-I infection.

From the ward meetings people suggested a variety of solutions for interventions which we have categorized as either « hard » or « soft ». (...)