The role of mobility in HIV transmission and control

textabstractThis thesis investigates the relationships between mobility, sexual risk behavior and HIV infection. We performed an ecological analysis, analyzed data from epidemiological cohort studies in Zimbabwe and Tanzania, and performed microsimulation modeling. The main conclusions are that: Urban immigration explains much of the differences between countries in the African HIV epidemic; Out-migrants do not constitute a high-risk group in rural Zimbabwe; Risky sexual behavior is seen in both mobile persons and in their partners staying behind; and non-participation of mobile groups can strongly reduce the impact of HIV interventions, and targeting them is a promising additional option in the control of HIV