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Abstract
Perception of HIV risk by sexually experienced women in The Gambia – implications for Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission
Nweneka C.1, Inyang M.1, Nweneka B.1
Introduction: An individual’s risk perception could influence her reception of HIV prevention messages. This study was to assess the perception of HIV risks by sexually experienced urban Gambian women, and to define factors associated with risk perception.
Methods: Interviewer-administered questionnaires were given to a convenience sample of 111 women in the Greater Banjul area of The Gambia, who have had at least one sexual intercourse. Association and statistical significance between variables were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and chi-squared test respectively.
Results: The mean age was 28.01 years (SD 7.24). 36% had no formal education. 70% were married, 16% have been married more than once. 10% had multiple sexual partners in the last one year. Single women were more likely to have multiple sexual partners than married women (26% vs 5%; Pearson’s Chi-squared = 12.077, p=0.007). About 75% of both single and married women have never used condom. 54% of the participants considered themselves at risk of HIV infection. Number of sexual partners in the last one year was negatively correlated with perception HIV risk (Pearson’s correlation coefficient – 0.190, p 0.047 (2-tailed); 95% CI = - 0.471 to – 0.004). Women with lower basic education or higher were more likely to correctly perceive their risk of HIV infection than those without a formal education (Pearson Chi-square 12.330, 95% CI 0.132 to 0.489; Fisher’s Exact P-value = 0.001). Contraceptive use was positively associated with HIV risk perception (Pearson’s Correlation 0.237, p=0.012; 95% CI = 0.035 to 0.446).
Conclusions: Since low risk perception is likely to be associated with less willingness to accept risk reduction messages and services such as voluntary counselling and testing, the low risk perception among women in this study could adversely affect PMTCT efforts. Within the limitations of this study, there may be need to raise the risk perception level of urban Gambian women.
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment
Abstract no.
TuPe5.5P02
Suggested Citation
"NwenekaC., et al.
Perception of HIV risk by sexually experienced women in The Gambia – implications for Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission.
Poster Exhibition:
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment:
Abstract no.
TuPe5.5P02"
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