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Abstract
Risk behaviors and patterns of HIV seroprevalence in countries with generalized epidemics: results from the demographic and health surveys
V. Mishra, R. Hong, S. Khan
Background: Reliable data on the spread of HIV and risk factors in the general population are essential for an effective response to the epidemic and its consequences. This study describes the methods used in the Demographic and Health Surveys to collect nationally-representative data on HIV seroprevalence in countries with generalized epidemics and discusses the risk behaviors and patterns of HIV seroprevalence.
Methods: During 2001–2005, HIV testing was done on nationally-representative samples of adult women and men in Mali, Zambia, the Dominican Republic, Kenya, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Cameroon, Senegal, Guinea, Uganda, Lesotho, and Malawi. Dried blood spot samples for HIV testing were collected (venous blood in Zambia and Uganda and oral mucosal transudate in the Dominican Republic), following internationally accepted ethical standards. HIV test results, except in Mali, Zambia, and the Dominican Republic, were linked anonymously to the characteristics and risk behaviors of adult respondents. Results are presented by age, sex, urban/rural residence, education, marital union, wealth status, geographic region, and selected sexual and other risk behaviors, including multiple sex partners, higher-risk sex, condom use, male circumcision, and reported STIs.
Results: Despite large HIV prevalence differences among the surveys (1–24%), fairly consistent patterns of HIV infection are observed by age, sex, and urban/rural residence, with considerably higher rates in urban areas and for women, especially at younger ages. Adults in wealthier households, in polygamous unions, being widowed/divorced/separated, having multiple sex partners, and having reported STIs had higher HIV rates than other adults. No consistent relationship between male circumcision and HIV risk was observed in most countries.
Conclusions: Population-based surveys can provide reliable, national and regional direct estimates of HIV seroprevalence and information on associated risk factors. These data, within limitations of cross-sectional survey design, can help identify higher-risk groups and behaviors, and enhance surveillance systems in generalized epidemics.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
CDC0269
Suggested Citation
"V.Mishra, et al.
Risk behaviors and patterns of HIV seroprevalence in countries with generalized epidemics: results from the demographic and health surveys.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
CDC0269"
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