HIV Infection Risk in Northern Tanzania
Author Information
Author(s): Keren Z. Landman, Jan Ostermann, John A. Crump, Anna Mgonja, Meghan K. Mayhood, Dafrosa K. Itemba, Alison C. Tribble, Evaline M. Ndosi, Helen Y. Chu, John F. Shao, John A. Bartlett, Nathan M. Thielman
Primary Institution: Duke University Medical Center
Hypothesis
What is the association between the number of sexual partners and the risk of HIV seropositivity among individuals presenting for HIV voluntary counseling and testing in northern Tanzania?
Conclusion
The study found that the risk of HIV infection increases with the number of sexual partners, particularly among women, even those reporting monogamy.
Supporting Evidence
- 939 (25%) females and 293 (10%) males were HIV seropositive.
- The risk of HIV infection was 19% for monogamous females and 4% for monogamous males.
- The risk increased to 45% for women and 15% for men with 5 or more partners.
Takeaway
The more sexual partners someone has, the higher their chance of getting HIV, especially for women, even if they say they only have one partner.
Methodology
Clients presenting for HIV VCT were surveyed about their sexual partners and tested for HIV between November 2003 and December 2007.
Potential Biases
Self-reporting may lead to underreporting of sexual behaviors, particularly among women.
Limitations
The study population was limited to VCT service users, which may not represent the general population, and relied on self-reported data.
Participant Demographics
Of the 6,549 clients, 3,607 (55%) were female, with a median age of 30 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 1.47–1.90 for females with 1 partner
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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