Changes in public knowledge and awareness of AIDS in Zambia

Campaigns against AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa have been most intensive in urban areas. Because of poor communication (for example, few negotiable roads), relatively little is known about the rural population's understanding, attitude and awareness of AIDS. Our study was conducted in the rural part of Choma district, one of the nine districts in Southern Province, Zambia. The district covers approximately 4800 km super(2) and the population is estimated to be approximately 200,000, predominantly from the Tonga tribe; the majority are subsistence farmers whose main crop is maize. There is one rural hospital, 19 rural health centres (RHC; staffed by clinical officers and nurses) and 34 primary health centres (staffed by community health workers).