|
Individual self perception of HIV risk is associated with HIV acquisition
J. Kagaayi1, R.H. Gray2, A. Ssetuba1, F. Nalugoda1, G. Kigozi1, D. Serwadda3, N. Kiwanuka4, F. Makumbi4, D. Nabukenya1, B. Nantume1, G. Kigozi N5, M.J. Wawer2
1Rakai Health Sciences Program, Research, Entebbe, Uganda, 2Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Baltimore, MD, United States, 3Makerere University,School of Public Health, Disease Contrrol and Enviromental Health, Kampala, Uganda, 4Makerere University,School of Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Kampala, Uganda, 5Rakai Health Sciences Program, Quality Control and Assurance, Entebbe, Uganda
Background: We assessed the association between self perception of HIV risk and incident HIV using population-based longitudinal data from the Rakai Community cohort
Methods: We used data on sexually active HIV-negative individuals interviewed in the 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 cohort surveys. Self-reported HIV risk perception, demographic, behavioral and health data were collected at the baseline survey. HIV diagnosis used double EIA with WB confirmation. Incident rate ratios (IRR) were used to compare HIV Incident rates (IR) between individuals with perceived risk and those without perceived risk of HIV.
Results: The sample included 3,672 women and 2,445 men. 1,303 (35.5%) of women and 827(33.8%) men (p=0.18) perceived themselves to be at risk of HIV. HIV incidence in females who perceived themselves to be at risk of HIV was 1.8/100person years compared to 1.0/100 person years among women who did not perceive themselves to be at risk (IRR=1.88 (95% CI=1.17-3.02), P-value=0.006). Among men, the HIV incidence was 1.2/100person years among those who perceived themselves to be at risk compared to 0.6/100 person years among those without perceived risk (IRR=1.95 (95% CI=0.94-4.07), P-value=0.055)Correlates of self-perception of HIV risk included older age (30-39 years), being separated or divorced, having post-primary education, more than one sexual partner in the prior twelve months, genital ulcer disease symptoms, inconsistent condom use, and use of alcohol before sex. Male circumcision status was not associated HIV risk perception.
Conclusions: Individuals who perceived themselves to be at risk of HIV were almost twice as likely to acquire HIV compared to those who did not. Individual HIV risk perception could be used for the development of HIV prevention strategies
Download the e-Poster
|