Abstract
BackgroundEvidence suggests that HIV prevalence amongst young Zambians has declined recently, especially in higher-education groups. We studied trends in key sexual behaviour indicators among 15–24 year-olds from 1995 to 2003, including the associations between sexual behaviour change and education.MethodsThe data stem from a series of three population-based surveys conducted in 1995 (n = 1720), 1999 (n = 1946) and 2003 (n = 2637). Logistic regression and Extended Mantel Haenszel Chi Square for linear trends were used to compare the three surveys.ResultsMen and lower-education groups reported more than one sexual partner in the year immediately prior to the survey more frequently than did women and higher-education groups (p < 0.01), but these proportions declined regardless of sex and residence. Substantial delays in child-bearing were observed, particularly among higher-education and urban respondents. Condom use at least for casual sexual intercourse increased from 1995 to 2003; the level was highest among urban and higher-education groups. The number of women reporting frequent dry sex using traditional agents fell during the period. Participants from the rural area and those with less education reported more sexual experience than urban and higher-education participants in 2003. The reported number of sexual partners during the year immediately prior to the survey was a factor that reduced the association between HIV and survey times among sexually active young urban men and women.ConclusionHigh risk behaviours clearly decreased, especially in higher-educated and urban groups, and there is a probable association here with the decline in HIV prevalence in the study population. Fewer sexual partners and condom use were among the core factors involved for both sexes; and for women a further factor was delayed child-bearing.
Highlights
Evidence suggests that HIV prevalence amongst young Zambians has declined recently, especially in higher-education groups
A number of studies from sub-Saharan Africa have recently reported declines in HIV prevalence among young people, which appear to be associated with changes in sexual behaviour [1,2,3,4,5,6]
In the 15–24 age group we found that HIV prevalence declined by 44% in the 8-year period among rural males, by 58% among rural females, by 54% (6.9% to 3.2%; p = 0.005) among urban males and by 44% (22.5% to 12.5%; p < 0.001) among urban females
Summary
Evidence suggests that HIV prevalence amongst young Zambians has declined recently, especially in higher-education groups. A number of studies from sub-Saharan Africa have recently reported declines in HIV prevalence among young people, which appear to be associated with changes in sexual behaviour [1,2,3,4,5,6]. We reported sharp declines in prevalence among young people with higher education (≥10 years of schooling) in the period 1995 to 2003 – 62% among urban females, 71% among urban males, 84% among rural males and 90% among rural females – whereas the prevalence was more stable among less educated respondents over the same period. From being at higher risk of HIV infection in 1995, young people with higher education were at lower risk by 2003 than those with little education [8,9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
