Special Behavioral Survey 2005-2008

The Special Behavioral Survey (SBS) was conducted by the Centre hospitalier affilie universitaire de Quebec (CHA) under an Avahan monitoring and evaluation (M&E) grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The SBS was conducted to validate the behavioral data gathered in a separate integrated biological and behavioral assessment (IBBA) by employing different data collection techniques. The SBS aimed firstly to validate key sexual behavior data items (collected through the IBBA two or three weeks prior to the SBS) from men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSWs), and clients. Then secondly, the SBS collected additional data on sexual networks and concurrency not collected through the IBBA. The qualitative aspect of the study primarily aimed to gather information from sex workers and clients about the meaning of HIV in their lives, their perceptions of the HIV prevention programs being implemented, and their attitudes towards condom use.