ABSTRACT
This study explored the perceived risk of contracting HIV among the currently married men and women in Zambia. The analysis was carried out on data from the latest Zambia Demographic Health Survey (2014).Results indicated that 48% of the currently married women, and 61% of the currently married men reported low perceived risk for contracting HIV. The results also indicate that age, place of residence, wealth status, having had sex with three or more partners for the last 12 months, drinking alcohol and condom use were associated with high risk perception of contracting HIV for men. Women who had three or more sexual partners during the last 12 months were 1.5 times more likely to perceive high risk for contracting HIV than those who had less than three partners. Among the males, those who had sex with three or more sexual partners were 1.7 times more likely to perceive being at high risk for contracting HIV than those who had sex with less than three partners. Respondents from the higher socio-economic group were 1.3 times more likely to report low risk of contracting HIV as compared to those from middle and lower socio-economic group. These findings suggest that behaviour change campaigns encouraging marriedmen and women to accurately assess their personal risk of contracting HIV should be complemented with targetedawareness messages emphasizing the positive attributes of usingcondom.
ABSTRACT
Objective To follow the trends in all-cause mortality in Lusaka; Zambia; during the scale-up of a national programme of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods Between November 2004 and September 2011; we conducted 12 survey rounds as part of a cross-sectional study in Lusaka; with independent sampling in each round. In each survey; we asked the heads of 3600 households to state the number of deaths in their households in the previous 12 months and the number of orphans aged less than 16 years in their households and investigated the heads' knowledge; attitudes and practices related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Findings The number of deaths we recorded - per 100 person-years - in each survey ranged from 0.92 (95confidence interval; CI: 0.78-1.09) in September 2011; to 1.94 (95CI: 1.60-2.35) in March 2007. We found that mortality decreased only modestly each year (mortality rate ratio: 0.98; 95CI: 0.95-1.00; P = 0.093). The proportion of households with orphans under the age of 16 years decreased from 17 in 2004 to 7 in 2011. The proportions of respondents who had ever been tested for HIV; had a comprehensive knowledge of HIV; knew where to obtain free ART and reported that a non-pregnant household member was receiving ART gradually increased. Conclusion :The expansion of ART services in Lusaka was not associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality. Coverage; patient adherence and retention may all have to be increased if ART is to have a robust and lasting impact at population level in Lusaka