AEGiS-14IAC: Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection in rural villages in the western province of Cameroon.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection in rural villages in the western province of Cameroon.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. A10036)

Kenfack H, Zekeng L, Tongo M, Nanfack A, Shang J, Burda S, Mbah H, Agyingi L, Nyambi P
Laboratoire de Sante Hygiene Mobile, Yaounde, Cameroon

BACKGROUND: Cameroon a country known for its broad HIV-1genetic diversity has a relatively low seroprevalence compared with sub saharan african countries. Most studies have been carried out in urban areas,but information on HIV infection in rural villages as well as risk factors associated with transmission is sparse

OBJECTIVE: To determine HIV seroprevalence and risks factors associated with these transmission rates in rural villages in the western province

METHODS: A serological study was carried out from April to August 2001 in western province. Demographic data and risk factors were elicited via face to face interviews .HIV-1antibodies in plasma were tested using an HIV-1/2 rapid assay & standard ELISA .Positive and discrepant result were confirmed by western blot. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS 10.1.

RESULT: 1406 individuals(824 females and 582 males) and aged 15 to 92 years living in 14 rural villages were bled.HIV prevalence was 3.9%(55/1406,95% confidence interval CI:1.5-6.1) overall.3.2%(26/824,95% CI:0.8-5.3) among females and 5%(29/582,95% CI:2.7-7.2) among males HIV prevalence peaked at age 25-34 years for both females (5.5%) and males(9%) and decreased with age in both genders with a P value=0.5(not stat. significant).Of the 14 villages examined HIV seroprevalence varied lows of 1% to highs of 8.9% .In 3 villages examined no males were identified positive despite females were positive. Likewise in 2 villages no females were positive. Out of 142 married people 94 were monogamous 48 polygamous with a HIV prevalence of 5.3% and 8.3%respectively with a p=0.005 (signific).

CONCLUSION: HIV seroprevalence in the rural villages in western province of cameroon is relatively low compared with other urbans towns and african countries.the risk factors which predispose people to the HIV infection in this area are polygamous marriages and sexual contact while travelling. Identification of these risk factors will help to design a program to limit spread of HIV.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, HIV Seroprevalence, Prevalence, HIV, HIV-2, Risk Factors, HIV Antibodies, HIV Seropositivity, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Cameroon, Human, Female, Male, immunology

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A10036