HIV-1 seroprevalence and risk perception in a rural areas of SW Uganda

ABSTRACT

The objective was to determine HIV-1 seroprevalence and individual subjects' assessment of their risk of HIV infection in a rural area of SW Uganda. In preparation for a trial to assess ways of reducing HIV-1 infection in a rural Ugandan population; a serum sample was collected from; and a KABP questionnaire administered to all consenting adults in selected villages.Results: Data were available for 2108 adults from three administrative parishes. Age and sex standardised HIV-1 seroprevalence results ranged from 7to 11. In females highest rates were in those aged 25-34 years (20) and in males in those aged 25 - 44 years(1). The percentage of those who considered themselves at risk of HIV-1 infection was similar between males and females and higher in seropositive (65) than seronegatives (51); 12said they did not know. Of the 1108 considering themeslves at risk 51cited their partners behavior; 14(21males;9females) referred only to their own behavior; and 3gave both reasons; 21mentioned other transmission routes and these included insects (2) and sharing sharp items (4). For the 680 considering themselves not at risk the commonest reasons given were sexual abstinance (51( and avoidance of risky sexual behaviour (21); only 2said they used condoms. In this rural population; with an adult HIV-1 seroprevalence of about 10; half of the people consider themselves at risk of infection. Few of them (more males than females) consider their own behaviour of partners. These findings have important implications for HIV/AIDS control programmes