Behavioural Surveillance Surveys - The Wisdom of Whores

Encouraging policy-makers to promote HIV
prevention
Public health officials need no convincing
of the importance of dedicating time and
resources to prevent the further spread of HIV.
The same cannot always be said for policymakers
in other sectors, who are confronted
with pressing priorities of their own.
In the early phases of the epidemic, welldesigned,
credible behavioral data can warn
of the possibility of rapid HIV spread and can
encourage policy-makers to act to prevent
that spread. But only if they are presented in
language politicians respond to, language that
may vary according to the target audience.
The more simply that message can be directed
at a key policy-maker’s particular interests, the
more likely it is to provoke a response.
Demonstrating that behaviors do change
following prevention activities, both in groups
with high risk behaviors and in the general
population, is one of the most effective ways
of increasing support for prevention activities.
Behavioral data showing changes over time
should be presented simply and rapidly to
policy-makers who have the power to
influence spending and program direction.
Making the public aware of the threat posed
by HIV
Many generalized epidemics have reached
their current stage because people in the
general population did not know or did not
want to believe that they were at risk of HIV
infection. Behavioral surveys in the general
population as well as in selected population
groups can illustrate the extent of continuing
risk behavior. Presented to the general public
through the media or in other ways, the findings
of such surveys will increase awareness of the
risk of unprotected sex with any partner.
It is also important for the general public
and members of specific sub-populations
to be aware of trends in behavior over time.
Knowing that others are adopting safer
behaviors can help reinforce behavior change,
especially among young people subject to
peer pressure, and among members of subpopulations
that share particular risk behaviors
for HIV.
Seeking support from non-government sources
Behavioral data indicate success in prevention
and highlight continuing needs. Presented
appropriately to private firms, development
organizations and international funders, these
data can be used to increase resources for
activities that are not being adequately covered
in government spending plans.
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C H A PTER 8 B EHAV I OR A L S U R V EI L L A NC E S U R V EY S