After reading the snags that recent applicant have had from prior applications I am curious how many past visa applications that the average Sub-Saharan has filed prior to this one. I know Joseph filed at least 3 times I willl call and get an exact number. What about others?

Bassi never filed for a visa to the US. I'm not so sure it matters if they have filed previous visas applications, unless maybe it was another marraige based visa application to a different individual.

Dijani spent 6 years in the US working for Carnival Crusie Lines. She did this for two different visas. I believe that this can only help our situation as she never over stayed and she has spent so much time here.

Never.

1 tourist visa to visit me and the DV.

1 only. Fiancee

2 student visa apps to the US. Don't think it matters unless they misspelled something or have contradicting information on their visa app for the K1. As long as everything matches up, don't think it matters (I know several guys who have applied for student or tourist visas, been denied, and then been granted a K1).

My husband never applied for a visa before we filed for the K1.

My wife filed twice for B1/B2 visa in 2004. It was an issue during her interview because they wanted to know if she changed her name, her DOB or lied anywhere in the DS 156 form concerning those previous applications. They asked for her previous Nigerian passport. She had to produce her WAEC, GCE, etc to verify her maiden name.
I will advise anybody who had applied for any type of visa in the past to be honest about it when dealing with Lagos embassy. At the interview, they printed out those two applications, waiting to see if she would lie, but didn't and she got her visa.

My husband applied for a tourist visa through China and was denied, and then a few months later through his country and was granted it. He will be applying again soon.

My husband applied and received a visa for England, Germany and United Emirates and a few other European countries, but, he was refused a visa for US in 2006. And YES, they questioned him extensivly and scrutinized the old application rigorously.

My SO never filed for a visa besides the fiancee visa.

My husband and I tried 3 times for a travel visa for him. The first was denied as my divorce was not final. the 3rd was bcos he was honest and said we got married 2 days earlier. I think it may have put us in AP for all this time. They dont trust him but dont realize all the attempts were to be with me..not others

Never before... the K-3 is the 1st time.