Summary -- preventing and mitigating AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa : research and data priorities for the social and behavioral sciences = Resume -- la prevention du SIDA et l"attenuation de ses effets en Afrique subsaharienne : recherches et donnees prioritaires pour les sciences sociales et comportementales

This report summarizes the recommendations from a comprehensive review of social and behavioral science research and data needs for improving AIDS prevention and mitigation programs in the region. Recommendations are presented in five critical areas: monitoring the epidemic; gathering information on sexual behaviors associated with the spread of HIV/AIDS; primary HIV prevention strategies; strategies for mitigating the impact of AIDS; and building indigenous research capacity. Priority recommendations include developing an AIDS surveillance system, designing interventions to protect women and adolescents (especially girls) from infection, correlating process and outcome indicators such as condom sales and behavior change with reductions in HIV prevalence, focusing research on the needs of HIV/AIDS-infected people, establishing linkages between regional institutions and international research centers, and, possibly, establishing a sub-Saharan African AIDS research institution with a strong behavioral and social science element.