FHI - Behavioral Surveillance

Critical tools informing the worldwide HIV/AIDS response are behavioral surveillance surveys (BSS) and biological and behavioral surveillance surveys (BBSS). These cross-sectional surveys, repeated over time, track HIV risk behaviors as part of an integrated surveillance system, providing vital information on how HIV is spreading in a country. BSS/BBSS are conducted among groups identified as most at risk for contracting or spreading HIV. These groups may include sex workers and their clients, men who have sex with men, injecting drug users, transport workers, and uniformed officers, all of whom are hard to reach with traditional household surveys.

BSS/BBSS are usually carried out at regular intervals on a national or regional scale, depending on a country's needs. When implemented effectively, they demonstrate evidence of progress of certain interventions, reveal lack of progress of others, and guide the design of more effective responses. Policymakers and key stakeholders use survey data to advocate for changes in policies, plans, and strategies.

Family Health International is a world leader in implementing these surveys and�in collaboration with national governments, universities, and local research organizations�has implemented over 100 since 1993. FHI staff pioneered the development of the rationale, methods, analytical tools, support systems, training guides, and quality-assurance mechanisms needed to conduct BSS and BBSS. In its ongoing surveillance work, FHI continues to adopt new technologies as they become available, participate in the global dialog on the role of surveillance in public health, and conduct international and regional trainings for a wide variety of organizations.

Behavioral Surveillance

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