The global AIDS epidemic and the fact that HIV is sexually transmitted have highlighted the need for more information on patterns of human sexuality, especially with regard to high‐risk practice and behaviours. Consequently, the World Health Organization's Global Programme on AIDS (in collaboration with Member States) has developed research materials that can be used to define dominant patterns of sexual behavior, in different social and cultural environments, in order to facilitate targeting AIDS prevention and control activities. The paper presented herein describes the inception of this study and discusses the rationale, the conceptual framework, the interview schedule, the pilot data, the research design, and the data analytic strategies.