Vissers D.C.J., De Vlas S.J., Bakker R., Urassa M., Voeten H.A.C.M., Habbema J.D.F.
Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands; National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
Vissers, D.C.J., Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands; De Vlas, S.J., Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands; Bakker, R., Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands; Urassa, M., National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania; Voeten, H.A.C.M., Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands; Habbema, J.D.F., Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands
Mobility is associated with HIV due to more risky sexual behaviour of mobile groups such as travellers and migrants. Limited participation of such groups may reduce the effectiveness of HIV interventions disproportionally. The established STDSIM model, which simulates transmission and control of HIV and STD, was extended to simulate mobility patterns based on data from Tanzania. We explored the impact of non-participation of mobile groups (travellers and recent migrants) on the effectiveness of two interventions: condom promotion and health education aiming at partner reduction. If mobile groups do not participate, the effectiveness of both interventions could be reduced by 40%. The impact of targeting travellers with a combined HIV campaign is close to that of a general population intervention. In conclusion, it is important to account for possible non-participation of migrants and travellers. If non-participation is substantial, impact of interventions can be greatly improved by actively approaching these people. © 2011 Cambridge University Press.
adolescent; adult; article; condom; controlled study; female; health promotion; high risk behavior; HIV education; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; infection control; intervention study; male; migration; prevalence; safe sex; sexual behavior; simulation; social participation; Adolescent; Adult; Computer Simulation; Emigration and Immigration; Female; Health Promotion; HIV Infections; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Biological; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Program Evaluation; Risk-Taking; Tanzania; Travel; Young Adult