14th International AIDS Conference Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. D11091)

Mukasa JB, Salata R, Mmiro F, Mugerwa RD, Byamugisha J, Walker C, Rwambuya SD, Balyegisawa A
Joint Clinic Research Centre, Kampala, Uganda

BACKGROUND: To identify sexual behavioral factors that have an effect on HIV prevalence among the women volunteers screened for the hormonal contraceptive and risk for HIV acquisition (HC-HIV) study in Uganda. The HC-HIV study is an on-going study done in Uganda whose major aim is to determine the risk of acquiring HIV among the different groups of family planning method users between 18 to 35 years old. The volunteers are tested for HIV and among other information, their age, marital status, number of years in school and sexual history is recorded before they are enrolled on the study.

METHODS: HIV status data on 2,856 women study volunteers is available and 18% of those were found HIV positive at screening. A logistic regression procedure has been used to fit a regression model. HIV status was the response variable and age, marital status, number of years in school and sex behavioral history of the volunteers were the main effects. Dummy variables were created for marital status to come up with six categories, which included; never married, monogamy marriage, polygamy marriage, separated /divorced and widowed. Sex behavioral history included age when first had sex, number of partners in lifetime, ever engaged in commercial sex and ever used a condom. Interaction was done between ?ever used a condom? and other variables since condom use is one of HIV preventive method.

RESULTS: It was found out that age, never married, monogamy and polygamy marriages and number of years in school have a significant effect on HIV prevalence among Ugandan women. The interaction effects did not produce any significant results although 95% of those who never married responded as ever used a condom.

CONCLUSION: Uganda women should be advised to use condoms before marriage and if possible try to stay in a monogamous marriage. Girls should be encouraged to complete their education. This will go along way to reduce HIV prevalence in Uganda.

020707
D11091

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