Demographic and Social Factors Associated with HIV Discordance Among HIVInfected Couples in Kaduna State Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Discordance has always been a bane in the efforts to stop the spread of HIV within the population as it creates a gap through which re-infection occurs. Knowing the demographics associated with discordance will help in the fight against HIV AIDS transmission. Objectives: The study was conducted to assess the demographic and social factors associated with HIV discordance among HIV- infected couples. Methods: A total of 158 couples and 317 individuals were recruited for the survey using a stratified sampling technique. A detailed closed-ended questionnaire was administered to them to collect their demographic and social information. A blood test was also carried out to confirm their HIV status. Results: The majority 161(50.8%) of respondents had secondary education while the least 29(9.1%) of them had tertiary education. Most of the 135(42.6%) knew their HIV status by voluntary testing, and most respondents 255(71%) were Christians while only 92(29%) were Muslims. More women 105(66.04%) were HIV positive, and the HIV discordance prevalence for Kaduna State was 0.2%. Social factors such as education, employment, unprotected sex, extramarital affairs, body marks/tattoo, surgery/operation, tribal marks, and blood transfusion did not affect HIV discordance, p-value ˃ 0.05. Other social factors such as remarriage, use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), pre-marital sex, male/female circumcision, and polygamy were found to affect HIV discordance, p-value ˂ 0.05. Conclusions: There is a need to draw the attention of HIV- infected couples to these facts to succeed in the global war against HIV AIDS.