Age; Poverty and Alcohol Use as HIV Risk Factors for Women in Mongu; Zambia

Background: Age; poverty and alcohol use are seen as risk factors for HIV among women in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: The objective of this study was to understand the influence of socioeconomic factors (including age and poverty) as well as alcohol use on risky sexual behaviors among women in Mongu; Zambia. Methods: This study examines these factors in the local context of Mongu; Zambia using the Priorities for Local AIDS Control Efforts (PLACE) methodology. This methodology allows for the study of risky behaviors while taking into consideration local factors. The two outcome variable studied were transactional sex in the past year and having two or more sexual partners in the past year. Results: In this study age was not a significant factor; but alcohol use and poverty/desire for economic advancement were significant factors. Conclusion: Programs and policies need to address the influence of alcohol on risky sexual behaviors and also the important but complex influence of poverty

Sexual Risk Reduction among Zambian Couples

Zambia has over 1 million HIV infections nation wide and an urban prevalence rate of 23This study compared the impact of male involvement in multiple and single session risk reduction interventions among inconsistent condom users in Zambia and the role of serostatus among HIV-seropositive and serodiscordant couples. Couples (N=392) were randomised into intervention arms. Among inconsistent condom users at baseline (N=83); condom use increased in both conditions and this increase was maintained over a 12- month period. At 12 months; seronegative men in the multiple session condition increased sexual barrier (male and female condoms) use in comparison with those in the single session condition (F=16.13; p=0.001) while seropositive individuals increased sexual barrier use regardless of condition. Results illustrate the importance of both single and multiple session risk reduction counselling among seronegative men in serodiscordant couples in Zambia; and highlight the differing perception of risk between seropositive and serodiscordant persons

University Students' Perspective of Sexual Harassment: a Case Study of the University of Zambia

Objectives: To determine if sexual harassment was a problem at the University of Zambia (UNZA); to explore UNZA student's perception on the nature of sexual harassment; and determine student's knowledge and understanding about sexual harassment. Design: A cross-sectional study across UNZA. Main outcomes: Occurrence of sexual harassment at UNZA; knowledge; perception and understanding of sexual harassment. Measure: A self-administered questionnaire was developed for the purpose of the study and piloted. The questionnaire included items on perceptions and understanding of sexual harassment; the nature of the environment at UNZA; frequency of the occurrence of sexual harassment; direct experiences and observations of sexual harassment; and formal and informal reporting of sexual harassment. Results: This study found that sexual harassment was a problem at the University of Zambia (UNZA) and female students were more likely to be affected. There was no gender difference on the knowledge about sexual harassment (p=0.27) but there was a significant gender difference in the perception of sexual harassment occurring at UNZA (?2 = 86.51; df= 1; p0.001); there were significantly more female students who perceived a lot of sexual harassment to be occurring at UNZA. More female students also perceived that students were likely to harass other students (p0.01) and students were likely to harass lecturers (p0.001). Conclusion: The problem of sexual harassment at UNZA should not be underestimated; among our recommendation is to formulate a policy on sexual harassment at UNZA