Original Articles
Vol. 13 No. 1 (2021): Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, Volume 13, 2021
PREVALENCE OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HIV STATUS AMONG VULNERABLE WOMEN IN NORTHERN UGANDA: BASELINE RESULTS FROM PE ATYE KENA COHORT STUDY
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Received: May 27, 2021
Accepted: August 2, 2021
Accepted: August 2, 2021
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Background and Objectives: HIV infection among vulnerable women (VW) has been attributed to unfavourable power relations and limited access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. Aim of this work is to report sexually-transmitted infections (STI) prevalence and to assess the impact of HIV awareness, demographic and socio-behavioural factors in a rural area of northern Uganda.
Methods: Pe Atye Kena is a longitudinal cohort, intervention study enrolling young women aged 18-49 years old living in the municipality of Gulu, Uganda. HIV, HBV, syphilis serologic tests and electronic comprehensive questionnaire on sexual high-risk behaviours were administered. Statistical analysis was performed by uni- and multivariable regression models.
Results: 461 VW were enrolled (mean age: 29 (SD7.7)). 40 (8.5%) were found to be positive for HIV, 42 (9.1%) for syphilis and 29 (6.3%) for HBV. Older age (> 34 years vs < 24 years; OR 4.95, 95% CI: 1.7 to 14); having done the last HIV test > 12m before the interview (OR 5.21, 95% CI: 2.3 to 11); suspecting the male sexual partner to be HIV+ (OR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1 to 4.3); not having used condom at first sexual intercourse (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.3 to 5.15) were all factors associated with an incident HIV diagnosis.
Conclusions: In this cohort, HIV prevalence is high and sexual high-risk behaviors are multifaced; future interventions will be aimed to reduce HIV/STIs misconceptions and to promote a sense of community, self-determination and female empowerment.
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“PREVALENCE OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HIV STATUS AMONG VULNERABLE WOMEN IN NORTHERN UGANDA: BASELINE RESULTS FROM PE ATYE KENA COHORT STUDY” (2021) Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, 13(1), p. e2021055. doi:10.4084/MJHID.2021.055.
Copyright (c) 2021 Francesco Vladimiro Segala, Giulia Micheli, Cristina Seguiti, Andrea Pierantozzi, Robert Lukwiya, Benson Odong, Francesco Aloi, Emmanuel Ochola, Roberto Cauda, Katleen De gaetano Donati, Antonella Cingolani
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