Efforts at HIV prevention that focus on high risk places might be more effective and less stigmatizing than those targeting high risk groups. The objective of the present study was to assess risk behaviour patterns, signs of current preventive interventions and apparent gaps in places where the risk of HIV transmission is high and in communities with high HIV prevalence.
Inhabitants of selected communities in Lusaka and Livingstone were interviewed about where people met new sexual partners. Signs of HIV preventive activities in these places were recorded.
At selected venues, people were interviewed about their sexual behaviour. Peer educators and staff of NGOs were also interviewed. There were few active peer educators. Having no condom available was the most common reason for not using one.
Condom use in Livingstone was higher among individuals socializing in places where condoms always were available.
In the places studied we found a high prevalence of behaviours with a high potential for HIV transmission but few signs of HIV preventive interventions. Covering the gaps in prevention in these high exposure places should be given the highest priority.
