HIV-1 sereoprevalence and risk perception in a rural area of SW Uganda

ABSTRACT

The objective was determine the HIV-1 Seroprevalence and individual subjects assessment of their risk of HIV infection in a rural areas 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. 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 24-44 years (1). The percentage of those who considered themselves at risk of HIV-1 infection was similar between males and females and higher in seropositives (65) thean seronegatives (51); 12said they did not know. Of the 1108 considering themselves at risk 51cited only their partner's behaviour; 14(21males; 9females) referred only to their own behaviour; and as 3gave both reasons; 21mentioned other transmission routes and these included insects (2) and sharing sharp items (4). For the 680 considering themselves not at risdk the commonset reasons given were sexual abstinence (51) and avoidance of risky sexual behaviour (21); only 2said they used condoms. Conclusions: In this rural population; with an adult HIV-1 seroprevalence of about 10; half of the people consider themselves ar risk of infection. Few of them (more males than females) consider their own behaviour a possible reason for this. Risk is more often attributed to the behaviour of partners. These findings have important implications for HIV/AIDS control programmes