Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “behaviour”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,045 records · Page 58Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-2 differentially affect hippocampal serotonergic neurotransmission, behavioural activity, body temperature and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis activity in the rat.

Intraperitoneal endotoxin injection and central administration of interleukin (IL)-1beta profoundly activate hippocampal serotonergic neurotransmission. This study was designed to investigate, using in vivo microdialysis, the effects of another endotoxin-induced proinflammatory cytokine, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and the effects of the non-inflammatory cytokine, IL-2, on hippocampal extracellular levels of serotonin. To compare the effects of these cytokines on neurotransmission with the effects on physiological parameters and behaviour, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis activity, body temperature and behavioural activity were monitored as well. Time-dependent changes in serotonergic neurotransmission and HPA axis activity were determined by measuring serotonin, its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and free corticosterone in dialysates. Total behavioural activity was scored by assessing the time during which rats were active. Core body temperature was measured by biotelemetry. Intracerebroventricular injection of 50 or 100 ng recombinant murine tumour necrosis factor-alpha exerted no effect on hippocampal serotonergic neurotransmission, and induced no signs of sickness behaviour. However, these doses produced a dose-dependent increase in body temperature and free corticosterone levels. In contrast, intracerebroventricular administration of 500 ng, but not of 50 ng, recombinant human IL-2 produced a marked increase in hippocampal extracellular concentrations of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, accompanied by a pronounced behavioural inhibition and other signs of sickness. Moreover, both doses of IL-2 caused a dose-dependent increase in body temperature and free corticosterone levels. Interestingly, intracerebroventricular pretreatment with the IL-1 receptor antagonist showed that the effects of IL-2 on hippocampal serotonin were completely dependent on endogenous brain IL-1. However, IL-1 seemed to play only a minor role in the IL-2-induced increase in free corticosterone. Taken together, the results show that cytokines produce partially overlapping brain-mediated responses, but are selectively effective in stimulating hippocampal serotonergic neurotransmission and inducing sickness behaviour. Moreover, we postulate that activation of hippocampal serotonin release is instrumental in the full development of behavioural inhibition.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

An animal model of autism: behavioural studies in the GS guinea-pig.

Autism is a human behavioural pathology marked by major difficulties in abnormal socialization, language comprehension and stereotypic motor patterns. These behavioural abnormalities have been associated with corticocerebral and cerebellar abnormalities in autistic patients, particularly in vermal folia VI and VII. Progress in understanding this disease has been hindered by the absence of a non-primate animal model. GS guinea-pigs are a partially inbred, non-ataxic guinea-pig strain with cerebellar and corticocerebral abnormalities similar to those reported to exist in human patients with autism. In order to determine if GS guinea-pigs represent an animal model of autism, their behaviour was compared with that of Hartley strain guinea-pigs. GS animals learned a motor task significantly more rapidly than Hartley guinea-pigs, but performed it in a more stereotypic manner and were less influenced by environmental stimuli than Hartleys. GS animals exhibited significantly less exploratory behaviour in a novel environment and were significantly less responsive to 50-95 dBA pure tones than Hartley guinea-pigs. In a social interaction assay, GS guinea-pigs interacted significantly less frequently with each other or with Hartley guinea-pigs than Hartleys did under the same conditions. GS behaviour thus exhibits autistic-like behaviour patterns: motor stereotypy, lack of exploration and response to environment and poor social interaction. Coupled with the neuropathological findings, this abnormal behaviour suggests that GS guinea-pigs could be a useful animal model of autism.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2002

The role of the medial supramammillary nucleus in the control of hippocampal theta activity and behaviour in rats.

The medial supramammillary nucleus (mSUM) controls the frequency of hippocampal theta activity, completely in anaethsetized rats and partially in free-moving rats. mSUM could therefore influence hippocampal contributions to cognition and emotion. Using chemical lesions of mSUM in rats, we tested whether mSUM is involved in controlling several hippocampal-dependent functions: (i) defensive behaviour (open field, fear conditioning); (ii) behavioural inhibition (fixed interval schedule, differential reinforcement of low rates schedule); and (iii) spatial learning (water maze). Theta frequency was measured in all these tasks. mSUM lesions produced a pattern of changes in motivated/emotional behaviours (hyperactivity in defensive and operant tasks) similar to the pattern produced by hippocampal lesions, but had no significant effect on spatial learning. mSUM lesion decreased theta frequency modestly (by approximately 0.4 Hz) in behaving rats if the amount of movement was unchanged. There was not always a parallel between changes in theta frequency and behaviour; behaviours changed despite unchanged theta in defensive tasks and learning changed little despite a lower frequency of theta in the water maze task. This suggests that mSUM function impacts on emotional behaviour more than cognition, and can modulate theta and behaviour independently.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Behavioural sensitization and enhanced dopamine response in the nucleus accumbens after intravenous cocaine self-administration in mice.

The behavioural effects of cocaine are enhanced in animals with a prior history of repeated cocaine administration. This phenomenon, referred to as sensitization, is also associated with an increase in cocaine-evoked extracellular dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens. Behavioural and neurochemical sensitization has been demonstrated in rats with a prior history of cocaine self-administration and in those that had received experimenter-administered cocaine. Although it is clear that the repeated non-contingent administration also results in behavioural sensitization in the mouse, the issue of whether behavioural and neurochemical sensitization also occur in this species following intravenous cocaine self-administration has not been assessed. The present study used the technique of in vivo microdialysis in conjunction with operant self-administration to characterize cocaine-evoked locomotor activity and dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens in mice with a prior history of intravenous cocaine self-administration or those that had received yoked infusions of cocaine. Mice that had received contingent or non-contingent infusions of cocaine exhibited an enhanced behavioural response to cocaine and increased cocaine-evoked dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens. There was no difference between groups in the magnitude of this effect. Prior exposure to cocaine did not modify baseline dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens. These data demonstrate that mice with previous cocaine self-administration experience show an enhanced behavioural and dopamine response to cocaine in the nucleus accumbens. Furthermore, control over cocaine infusion does not significantly alter the magnitude of the sensitized behavioural and presynaptic dopamine responses observed in response to a challenge dose of cocaine.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Emergence behaviour in children: defining the incidence of excitement and agitation following anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Children display a variety of behaviour during anaesthetic recovery. The purpose of this study was to study the frequency and duration of emergence behaviour in children following anaesthesia and the factors that alter the incidence of various emergence behaviour following anaesthesia. METHODS: A prospective study of children who required outpatient lower abdominal surgery was designed to determine an incidence and duration of emergence agitation. We developed a 5-point scoring scale to study the postanaesthetic behaviour in these children. The scale included behaviour from asleep (score=1) to disorientation and severe restlessness (score=5). Children were scored by a blinded observer every 10 min during the first hour of recovery or until discharge from same day surgery. RESULTS: We found 27 of 260 children experienced a period of severe restlessness and disorientation (score 5) during anaesthesia emergence. Thirty percent of the children (79/260) experienced a period of inconsolable crying or severe restlessness (score 4 or 5) following anaesthesia. The frequency of this behaviour was greatest on arrival in the recovery room, but many children who arrived asleep in the recovery room later experienced a period of agitation or inconsolable crying. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated assessments of behaviour following anaesthetic recovery are required to define an incidence and duration of emergence agitation. Emergence agitation occurs most frequently in the initial 10 min of recovery, but many children who arrive asleep experience agitation later during recovery.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2003

Early detection of emotional and behavioural problems in children with diabetes: the validity of the Child Health Questionnaire as a screening instrument.

AIMS: To assess the validity of the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) as a screening tool for detecting 'at risk' emotional and behavioural maladjustment in children with diabetes, using the Behaviour Assessment System for Children (BASC) as a gold standard measure. METHODS: CHQ and BASC were administered to 103 parents of children with Type 1 diabetes, aged 7-12 years. Sub-scales of the two measures were compared using Pearson's bivariate correlations. CHQ sensitivity and specificity cut-points were optimized against the BASC borderline category using receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: The BASC Externalizing Problems scale correlated strongly with CHQ Behaviour, Global Behaviour, Mental Health, Family Activities and Family Cohesion scales (r-values -0.68, -0.54, -0.51, -0.59, and -0.42, respectively). BASC Internalizing Problems scale correlated strongly with CHQ Behaviour, Mental Health and Family Cohesion scales (r-values -0.40, -0.43 and -0.45, respectively). Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the CHQ Mental Health scale most effectively identified children classified as borderline on the BASC Internalizing Problems scale (sensitivity 87%, specificity 78%), while the CHQ Global Behaviour scale most effectively identified children classified as borderline on the BASC Externalizing Problems scale (sensitivity 73%, specificity 82%). CONCLUSIONS: Significant correlations were seen between the CHQ Global Behaviour and Mental Health scales and the BASC Externalizing and Internalizing scales, respectively. Sequential use of the CHQ, as a screening tool, followed by an established mental health measure such as the BASC, may help identify children with diabetes 'at risk' for chronic maladjustment and poor health outcomes.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed2000

Effects of surgery and analgesic administration on spontaneous behaviour in singly housed rats.

The study examined the use of behaviour in assessing post-laparotomy pain in rats given subcutaneous injections of saline (0.2 ml 100 g(-1)) or the analgesics buprenorphine (0.05 mg kg(-1)) or ketoprofen (5 mg kg(-1)). Procedural control influences (handling/movement, anaesthesia, injections) were studied in a second group. Of 150 behaviours examined, discriminant analysis classified the main treatment effects, and class mean frequencies were compared between treatments within each group. With the exception of buprenorphine treatment, control procedures reduced the frequency of active, attentive and grooming behaviour, and increased sleeping during 24 hours following each treatment. Moving animals to the theatre was the main factor responsible for these changes. Surgery also reduced active and attentive behaviour. Animals given pre-operative saline were more frequently inactive than those given ketoprofen. These effects most likely resulted from post-surgery pain, but this was not significantly diminished with the ketoprofen dose used. In all cases, buprenorphine outweighed these effects, causing a sustained increase in active, inactive and attentive behaviour, such that determination of any analgesic effects was impossible. The study underlined a role for pain assessments based on rat behaviour. Drug-related effects emphasised a need for more comprehensive assessments encompassing procedural influences, before behaviour changes that are potentially pain related may be determined accurately.

Analgesics↗
PubMed2002

[Health behaviour and health status of nursing staff--a review of the literature].

Presently around 1.1 million nurses are employed in the German health care system. Due to increased workload and staff reduction, studies on the health behaviour and health condition of nursing staff are increasingly important. Hence we reviewed the literature on health behaviour and health condition of nursing staff. Articles available in Medline and Embase from 1978 to 2000 were included, focussing on smoking, alcohol consumption, substance abuse, eating habits, body-mass index, dental health status, risk behaviour in traffic, workload, burnout syndrome, sports and recreation, job satisfaction, subjective health status, subjective complaints, vaccinations and quality of life. Health behaviour was divided in unhealthy and healthy behaviour. It became obvious that most of the studies focussed on investigation of unhealthy behaviour, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, substance abuse and poor eating habits. Health promotion was mainly seen as avoiding these unhealthy habits. Only in current studies definitions of health promoting behaviour were developed as a part of a comprehensive life-style.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Age and gender differences in risk-taking behaviour as an explanation for high incidence of motor vehicle crashes as a driver in young males.

Risk-taking behaviour has been identified as a possible explanation for the high incidence of motor vehicle crashes involving young male drivers. This study examines the extent to which differences in risk-taking behaviour explain the differential crash rates by age and gender. A random sample of 689 adults aged 17-88 were selected from motor vehicle license holders within randomly selected geographical areas across Queensland. Participants completed a questionnaire covering their attitudes towards driving behaviour and general risk-taking behaviour, selected demographic characteristics and self-reported history of road crashes as a driver. Univariate analysis showed that males scored higher means than females in driver aggression and thrill seeking and in their general risk acceptance. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that males were twice as likely (OR 2.46, CI 1.59-3.83) to have reported at least one crash as a driver compared to females and nearly three times as likely (OR 2.88, CI 1.84-4.49) to have reported two or more crashes. Drivers aged 17-29 were also twice as likely (OR 2.31, CI 1.10-4.19) to have reported at least one crash when compared to those aged over 50 years. When risk-taking behaviours were introduced into the logistic model the odds of males (OR 1.70, CI 1.29-3.30) or 17-29 year olds (OR 1.30, CI 0.93-3.91) being involved in at least one crash substantially reduced. An increased risk of a crash as a driver can, in part, be explained by the age and gender differential in risk-taking behaviour. The challenge for public health professionals is to determine suitable strategies to modify risk-taking behaviour in young or male drivers.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1994

Behavioural expression of laying hens in aviaries and cages: frequencies, time budgets and facility utilisation.

1. We studied: behavioural frequencies and time budgets of behaviour patterns in non-beak-trimmed White Leghorn layers housed in cages (720 cm2/hen, 3 hens/cage), and in the Marielund, the Tiered Wire Floor (TWF), and the Laco-Volétage aviaries (17 hens/m2 ground area); individual variation in behaviour among aviary hens; spatial utilisation of the different types of aviary. 2. At 25, 40, and 60 weeks of age behaviour patterns of 114 focal animals were data logged. Each bird was observed for 10 min 4 times a day on three consecutive days. 3. The frequency of activity transitions and the activity level was highest in TWF, second highest in cages, and lowest in Laco-Volétage, suggested that Laco-Volétage hens were the calmest, whereas birds in cages and in TWF were more restless. Abnormal types of behaviour occurred most often in cages and TWF. The disadvantageous behaviour patterns shown by birds in TWF and cages imply that these environments were the least appropriate for this layer strain. 4. Pronounced individual variations in mobility and facility utilisation were found, both within and between the three aviaries. Resting levels were used twice as much (Laco-Volétage), and litter areas one third as much (Marielund), as that expected on a simple a proportionate basis. Most feather pecking was performed at resting levels and on feeding floors, whereas most agonistic behaviour patterns were observed on feeding floors and litter. 5. Measures to improve the aviaries are outlined.

Aging↗
PubMed1996

Individual variation in prelaying behaviour and the incidence of floor eggs.

1. Floor eggs are a problem in non-cage systems for laying hens, as they require secondary egg collecting. Failure to lay in a well-defined nest site may also be a welfare problem for the hens, but only if their nesting motivation has been thwarted. We investigated the relationships between a hen's prelaying behaviour and its tendency to lay on the floor by recording the behaviour of 20 hens housed individually in wire cages with single littered nest boxes. 3. Most floor eggs (80%) were laid by the same 6 hens. These 6 "floor-layers" performed more nest seeking behaviour, less nest-building behaviour and less sitting prior to oviposition than the 14 hens that consistently laid in nest boxes. 4. The incidence of floor eggs declined with age. Both nest and floor laying hens performed less nest seeking behaviour with age. Floor layers, however, increased their performance of nesting behaviour, whilst nest layers performed less nesting behaviour with age. 5. Floor laying hens behaved as if they found the nest box less attractive than nest-laying hens; perhaps because they had lower nesting motivation, or perhaps because their nesting motivation was as high, but they less readily perceived the nest box as an appropriate nest site.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Time-budgets, comfort behaviours and injurious pecking of turkeys housed in pairs.

1. Large group size and high stocking density can compromise the welfare of poultry. This study, the first in a series of trials to determine the effect of these factors, examined the behaviour of turkeys under conditions in which group size and stocking density would have minimal influence, that is, when the birds were housed as pairs in pens measuring 3.0 x 3.6 m. 2. The 24 h time-budgets, frequency of comfort behaviours and incidence of injurious pecking were recorded on 12 occasions when the birds were between 4 and 22 weeks of age. 3. Over the duration of the study the proportion of time engaged in drinking or pecking other birds remained constant, but decreased for sleeping, environment pecking, wing-flapping, and running, increased for stretching, and varied throughout for feeding, standing, sitting, strutting, preening whilst standing, preening whilst sitting, and walking. 4. Some of the changes in activity were probably attributable to age effects per se. though other changes may have been related to increased musculo-skeletal weakness. 5. At 18 weeks of age, the turkeys spent a considerable proportion (30%) of time performing a sexual courtship display, strutting. Although the prevalence of this activity subsequently decreased, the likelihood of increased metabolic costs and potential for frustration indicate further investigation is warranted. 6. The turkeys behaved socially and were strongly influenced by social facilitator. 7. There were considerable differences between the behaviour of the turkeys and other common poultry species: the turkeys performed a running or frolicking behaviour and strutting, but did not exhibit other behaviours commonly observed such as dustbathing and ground-scratching whilst feeding. 8. Injurious pecking was infrequent. Only 14 bouts of behaviour likely to cause injury were recorded in 1,656 turkey-hours of continuous observation; no turkey required attention as a consequence of this behaviour. Feather pecking and cannibalism did not occur despite higher than conventional light intensities; the low frequency of injurious pecking could be attributed to the small group size/low stocking density.

Aggression↗
PubMed1999

On the presence and absence of behavioural traits in sport: an example from championship squash match-play.

Here we report two experiments that analysed sport (squash) competition as a non-linear system that transits intermittently between different behavioural states. The first experiment involved a perceptual analysis of 60 rallies in which stable behaviour and unstable behaviour, delineated by behavioural transitions (i.e. shot perturbations), were reliably (kappa = 0.930) and validly (kappa = 0.844) identified by independent observers. In addition, experts were better than non-experts at identifying the type of system behaviour (P < 0.01). These results provide for three alternative descriptions: (a) the system is multi-stable and transits between states via the mechanism of instability; (b) the system is bi-stable and abruptly transits between two states, labelled stable and unstable; or (c) the system is mono-stable and displays variability, marked by transient instability, as a result of system perturbations. The second experiment analysed squash behaviour as expressed in the phase relation between the two players from time-motion analysis. The data, from four rallies, yielded evidence of a tight anti-phase coupling with transient phase shifts, or perturbations, that were quickly damped. These data suggest a mono-stable system with a single (anti-phase) attractor onto which system fluctuations are occasionally written. However, these fluctuations failed to correspond with the short perturbations that were identified from perceptual analysis. Together, these results affirm the presence of transient behaviours in squash match-play, although the information that forms these perceptual judgements has yet to be identified.

Competitive Behavior↗
PubMed2005

Antecedent interventions in the management of maladaptive behaviours in a child with brain injury.

Typically behaviour management plans attempt to change behaviour by manipulating the environmental consequences of selected behaviour. However, identifying the antecedent events that precede behaviour has also been demonstrated to be an important component of effective behaviour change programmes. The present case presentation attempts to demonstrate how antecedent procedures could be used to effectively manage behaviour problems in individuals with brain injury. Visual inspection of changes in the frequency of physical aggression and self-injurious behaviour of a child with brain injury provides preliminary data supporting the use of an intervention package of antecedent and consequence-based procedures. Clinical implications, limitations and possibilities for future research of antecedent control procedures are discussed.

Aggression↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pubertal development and sedentary behaviour during adolescence.

BACKGROUND: Assessing time spent in sedentary behaviours in relation to pubertal status, anthropometric differences, and body image will improve insight into the prevalence and determinants of such behaviours during adolescence. AIM: The study aimed to investigate the effects of age, puberty, gender, body composition, and sleep on sedentary behaviour. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Participants were 64 boys and 55 girls in Year 6 (10.0-10.9 years of age), Year 8 (12.0-12.9 years) and Year 10 (14.0-14.9 years). Body mass index and percentage body fat were calculated from anthropometric measures. Sedentary behaviour and sleep time were computed using momentary-time sampling. Body image was measured using the Children's Physical Self-Perception Profile. Pubertal status was assessed from self-report of secondary sexual characteristics. RESULTS: After controlling for sleep time, no differences in sedentary time were seen for puberty onset or increased pubertal development. Correlations between pubertal status, body composition, and body image were stronger in girls than in boys. Correlations between body image and sedentary behaviour were not strong enough to infer behavioural choice differences. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced sleep time rather than changing body image and body composition during adolescence is associated with greater sedentary behaviour.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Stage of change versus an integrated psychosocial theory as a basis for developing effective behaviour change interventions. The Project RESPECT Study Group.

According to the Stages of Change (SOC) model, behavioural change involves a process of movement from precontemplation (no intention to change), to contemplation (some intention to change, but no behaviour), to preparation (intention to change and early inconsistent behavioural attempts to change), to action (consistent behavioural performance for less than six months) and finally, to maintenance (consistent behavioural performance for six months or more). Moreover, it is argued that cognitive (e.g. attitude change) and action oriented (e.g. changing self-efficacy) strategies are differentially effective at different stages. In contrast, most other behavioural prediction and change models suggest that both cognitive and action oriented approaches are necessary to move people from precontemplation to contemplation (i.e. to develop intentions). This paper tests this and other differences between these two theoretical approaches. Among other findings, our data indicate that a combination of cognitive and action strategies may be the most effective way to target individuals who have no intention to change their behaviour.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

HIV vaccine efficacy trial participation: men who have sex with men's experiences of risk reduction counselling and perceptions of risk behaviour change.

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 35 men who have sex with men, enrolled in the world's first phase III HIV vaccine efficacy trial at five US sites, regarding their risk reduction counselling experiences and their perceptions of its impact on risk behaviour. Respondents ranged in age from 20 to 58 years and were predominately white (71.4%) in racial/ethnic origin. Systematic qualitative analysis revealed that a positive counselling experience meant having good rapport with clinic staff. Differences in attitudes toward counselling were related to either a personal approach of balancing an enjoyable sex life with safe sex behaviours (balancing risks) or accepting the consequences of risky sexual behaviour rather than making changes (risk homeostasis). Respondents seeking to balance risks indicated that they saw themselves engaging in safer sexual behaviour almost twice as often as in riskier behaviours. They perceived counselling and behavioural risk assessments to help increase their awareness of personal risk-taking behaviours. Conversely, those with a risk homeostasis approach reported that they had established sexual boundaries prior to trial participation that had thus far proven to be effective in avoiding HIV infection, and that they were comfortable with the level of risk taken. Thus, risk reduction counselling had little to no influence on their sexual practices. Some of these men also indicated that while they had not found the risk reduction information imparted to them by clinic staff to be novel, counselling was beneficial in reinforcing their HIV/AIDS and safe sex knowledge base.

AIDS Vaccines↗
PubMed2006

Understanding sexual behaviour change in rural southwest Uganda: a multi-method study.

Studies report substantial sexual behaviour change in Africa in response to HIV/AIDS. Generally there seems to be an increase in condom use and a reduction in partners, with men reporting more change than women. However, it is not only important to know whether people are changing their sexual behaviour but also their reasons for changing and the consistency and extent of change. Between 1996 and 2000 a study involving 196 respondents was carried out in rural southwest Uganda to investigate the exact nature of behaviour change and the reasons for change or lack of change since people became aware of HIV/AIDS. Data were collected from three rounds of questionnaire surveys, four rounds of open in-depth interviews, six rounds of semi-structured interviews and from informal conversations and participant observation. In order to obtain a comprehensive assessment of behaviour change the data for each participant from all sources were compared and discrepancies were then followed up by re-interviewing participants. After triangulation between all sources of data, 48% of respondents had ever used a condom. Condom use in 76% of all cases was at least partly AIDS related, while 19% was exclusively for protection against HIV. Condom use tended to be sporadic: only 13% of condom users currently used a condom regularly and most of this use was for family planning. After triangulation, 45% had reduced the number of sexual partners. Of all partner reductions, 93% was at least partly AIDS related; 29% was exclusively to avoid HIV. Half of those who had reduced the number of partners either stuck to one partner or abstained. Men reported more change than women. Of those who reported no partner reduction, 89% could not reduce the number of partners because they already had only few or a single partner or abstained; most of these were women. Most of those who could change their sexual behaviour had already changed, though the degree of change (particularly condom use) was often minimal. Not only behaviour change, but also the maintenance of safe behaviour is important. Also, understanding reasons for change and extent and consistency of change are important when planning and evaluating interventions.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗