Abstract
Background: Herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) and human papillomavirus (HPV) are common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among fishing communities and are associated with high HIV prevalence in this underserved population. However, there is limited knowledge on HIV incidence among fishermen. This study aimed at determining prevalence, incidence and risk factors associated with HIV infection among fishermen in Kisumu Kenya. Methods: Three hundred fishermen were evaluated for baseline HIV, HSV-2, HPV infection and a structured questionnaire administered. HIV incidence was assessed after 12 months among those initially HIV negative. HIV incidence rate in person-years and prevalence were estimated. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors independently associated with HIV acquisition. Results: HIV prevalence was 23.3% (95% CI: 18.5 - 28.1). Risk factors for baseline HIV prevalence were older age (aOR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.25 - 5.07), history of STI (aOR 4.21; 95% CI: 2.07 - 9.34), baseline HPV infection (aOR 2.13; 95% CI: 1.05 - 4.77), number of lifetime sexual partners (>5) aOR = 5.76 (95% CI: 1.41 - 13.57) and transactional sex (aOR = 10.98; 95% CI: 1.86 - 19.34). Condom uses with new sexual partner (aOR 0.21, 95% CI: 0.08 - 0.55) and during most recent sexual act (aOR 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03 - 0.61), were negatively associated with HIV prevalence. HIV incidence was 4.2 (95% CI = 1.3 - 7.1) per 100 person-years with being single (aIRR = 8.32; 95% CI: 1.27 - 54.67) as an independent risk factor. Condom use with new sexual partner (aIRR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01 - 0.89) and recent sex with wife/regular girlfriend (compared to sex worker/casual partner; aIRR = 0.03; 95% CI: 0.01 - 0.35) were associated with reduced risk of HIV acquisition. Conclusion: Inconsistent condom use and transactional/casual sexual partnerships were the main high-risk sexual behaviors in addition to marital status explaining the high HIV acquisition rate among fishermen. Intensified safer sex promotion is urgently needed in this subpopulation to avert new HIV infections.
Highlights
The HIV-AIDS pandemic is currently in its fourth decade of existence since the first case was reported in 1981 [1]
In the US and Europe, high HIV rates are observed among injection drug users (IDUs) and young men who have sex with men (MSM), among young African American MSM [1] [5]
135 (57%) had multiple partners with at least one new partnership formation in the year prior to the study compared to 53 (83%) among single men who were 3.6 times as likely as married men to report multiple sexual partners in this period; OR = 3.60
Summary
The HIV-AIDS pandemic is currently in its fourth decade of existence since the first case was reported in 1981 [1]. Sex workers and long distance truck drivers have been reported to have higher prevalence of HIV when compared to the general population [9]-[11]. This observation may largely be due to modified sexual practices or/and rapidly expanding sexual networks associated with these occupations. Risk factors for baseline HIV prevalence were older age (aOR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.25 - 5.07), history of STI (aOR 4.21; 95% CI: 2.07 - 9.34), baseline HPV infection (aOR 2.13; 95% CI: 1.05 - 4.77), number of lifetime sexual partners (>5) aOR = 5.76 (95% CI: 1.41 - 13.57) and transactional sex (aOR = 10.98; 95% CI: 1.86 - 19.34). Conclusion: Inconsistent condom use and transactional/casual sexual partnerships were the main high-risk sexual behaviors in addi-
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