Toward a Standard Sexual Behavior Data Set for HIV Prevention Evaluation

Objective: To advocate the use of standard measures of sexual behavior in order to facilitate determining the extent to which an HIV-prevention intervention has changed participants' behavior. Methods: The need for a standardized minimum data set is reviewed and a candidate data set is proposed. Results: The following data constitute the proposed minimum data set: (1) number of sexual intercourse partners; (2) number of acts of unprotected intercourse, per partner; and (3) number of condom-protected intercourse acts, per partner. Conclusion: Standardizing measures used in HIV-prevention research would facilitate cross-study comparison and thereby assist HIV-prevention policy makers and program planners in selecting effective programs.