17 research outputs found
Age at sexual debut: A determinant of multiple partnership among South African youth
Age at sexual debut is an important determinant of HIV infection. The paper investigates the effects of age at sexual debut on sexual behaviour among South African youth. Among 2 875 respondents who ever had sexual intercourse, 39% had early sexual debut (sexual debut at age 16 years and below). Males (44.6%) were significantly more likely than females (35.1%) to report early sexual debut (odds ratio (OR)=1.45, p-value <0.001). Multiple sexual partners are significantly more common among those that had early sexual debut (10.4% vs. 4.8%) than those who had late sexual debut, (OR=2.29, p-value<0.001). Those aged 15 to 19 years were 1.4 times more likely to report multiple partners compared to those aged 20 to 24 years. Delaying sexual debut is a strategy many national programmes are promoting. The results of this study provide additional arguments to support such initiatives and show the need to strengthen intervention targeting youth (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[2]:47-54)
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Bayesian approach in estimating risk determinants of infectious diseases
Paper presented at the SUSAN Conference, Kabarak University, Augus
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Bayesian approach in estimating risk determinants of infectious diseases
Paper presented at the 51st Annual SASA Conference, OctoberHIV/AIDS has had greatest adverse impact on TB. People coinfected with TB and HIV are at high risk of dying from TB. Similarly the relationship between HIV and STIs is complex as they are both sexually transmitted. In South Africa, no coherent analysis of determinants of HIV and TB has been done at a national level and thus this study seeks to mend this gap. Results will therefore provide a better understanding of the spread of these two epidemics in South Africa. The dataset used is from a population based second-generation surveillance survey conducted by the HSRC in 2005. The survey was conducted in 15 000 households from 1000 enumerator areas. The results show that sex, race, age, education and health are important determinants of HIV and TB. Furthermore, the spread of HIV is clustered within an enumerator area. Thus intervention programmes should target enumerator area level for their maximum effects
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Bayesian approach in estimating risk determinants of infectious diseases
Paper presented to the International Statistical Institute, Durban, Augus
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Determinants of age at sexual debut and associated risks among South African youths
The research uses data from a representative national survey to explore the determinants of age at sexual debut among South African youths in the age group 15-24 years. A random sample of 5 708 youths were interviewed and 92% responded to questions on whether or not they had ever had sex and their age at first sex for those who had. The research used survival analyses techniques to combine 'current status data' and 'recall data' for respondents who reported ever having had sex. The females were more likely than the males to report ever having had sex. The median age at sexual debut was 18 years for both males and females. The hazard ratio pertaining to early sexual debut was 0.81-times less for those in the age group 15-19 as compared to those in the age group 20-24. Age, race, geographical location, and level of education were found to be important determinants of age at sexual debut. The 'hazards of sexual debut' varied significantly between geographical areas (rural or urban). Youths with an earlier age of sexual debut were less likely to have used condoms, a behaviour which increases their risk of HIV infection. HIV prevalence was consistently higher among the females than among the males. We recommend that HIV-prevention interventions target community sets rather than only individuals at higher risk of exposure to HIV.
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Determinants of knowledge of HIV status in South Africa: results from a population-based HIV survey
Background: Over 30% of women and men in the South African national HIV household of 2005 indicated that they had previously been tested for HIV (of which 91% were aware of their test results). This paper seeks to describe the associations between socio-demographic, behavioural and social characteristics and knowledge of HIV status among a nationally representative population in South Africa.
Methods: A multistage probability sample involving 16395 male and female respondents, aged 15 years or older was selected. The sample was representative of the South African population by age, race, province and type of living area, e.g. urban formal, urban informal, etc. Respondents were interviewed on HIV knowledge, perceptions and behaviour and provided blood for research HIV testing. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify socio-demographic, social and behavioural factors associated with knowledge of HIV status.
Results: From the total sample 27.6% ever and 7.8% knew their HIV status in the past 12 months. In multivariate analyses being female, the age group 25 to 34 years old, other than African Black population group (White, Coloured, Asian), higher educational level, being employed, urban residence, awareness of a place nearby where one could be tested for HIV, impact of HIV on the household and having had two of more sexual partners in the past year were associated with knowledge of HIV status. Among HIV positive persons awareness of a place nearby where one could be tested for HIV and impact of HIV on the household were
associated knowledge of HIV status, and among HIV negative persons HIV risk behaviour (multiple partners, no condom use), awareness of a place nearby where one could be tested for HIV, higher knowledge score on HIV and knowledge of serodiscordance were associated knowledge of HIV status.
Conclusions: Education about HIV/AIDS and access to HIV counselling and testing (HCT) in rural areas, in particular among the Black African population group needs to be improved, in order to enhance the uptake of HIV counselling and testing services, an essential step for the initiation of treatment.
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Universal HIV testing of infants at immunization clinics: an acceptable and feasible approach for early infant diagnosis in high HIV prevalence settings
Objective: To determine the acceptability and feasibility of universal HIV testing of 6-week-old infants attending immunization clinics to achieve early diagnosis of HIV and referral for HIV treatment and care services. Design: An observational cohort with intervention. Methods: Routine HIV testing of infants was offered to all mothers bringing infants for immunizations at three clinics in KwaZulu-Natal. Blood samples were collected by heel prick onto filter paper. Dried blood spots were tested for HIV antibodies and, if present, were tested for HIV DNA by PCR. Exit interviews were requested of all mothers irrespective of whether they had agreed to infant testing or not. Results: Of 646 mothers bringing infants for immunizations, 584 (90.4%) agreed to HIV testing of their infant and 332 (56.8%) subsequently returned for results. Three hundred and thirty-two of 646 (51.4%) mothers and infants thereby had their HIV status confirmed or reaffirmed by the time the infant was 3 months of age. Overall, 247 of 584 (42.3%) infant dried blood spot samples had HIV antibodies indicating maternal HIV status. Of these, 54 (21.9%) samples were positive for HIV DNA by PCR. This equates to 9.2% (54/584) of all infants tested. The majority of mothers interviewed said they were comfortable with testing of their infant at immunization clinics and would recommend it to others. Conclusion: Screening of all infants at immunization clinics is acceptable and feasible as a means for early identification of HIV-infected infants and referral for antiretroviral therapy.
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Age at sexual debut: a determinant of multiple partnership among South African youth
Age at sexual debut is an important determinant of HIV infection. The paper investigates the effects of age at sexual debut on sexual behaviour among South African youth. Among 2 875 respondents who ever had sexual intercourse, 39% had early sexual debut (sexual debut at age 16 years and below). Males (44.6%) were significantly more likely than females (35.1%) to report early sexual debut (odds ratio (OR)=1.45, p-value <0.001). Multiple sexual partners are significantly more common among those that had early sexual debut (10.4% vs. 4.8%) than those who had late sexual debut, (OR=2.29, p-value<0.001). Those aged 15 to 19 years were 1.4 times more likely to report multiple partners compared to those aged 20 to 24 years. Delaying sexual debut is a strategy many national programmes are promoting. The results of this study provide additional arguments to support such initiatives and show the need to strengthen intervention targeting youth.
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Sexual behaviour, HIV status, and HIV risk among older South Africans
The aim of this study was to conduct a secondary analysis on sexual behaviour, HIV status and HIV risk and co-morbidity among older South Africans using the South African 2005 HIV prevalence and behaviour survey. A multistage probability nationally representative sample involving 3795 male and female respondents, aged 50 years or older was selected. About 41.1% had been
sexually active in the past 12 months and 35.9% in the past month. Men (63.1%) were significantly more sexually active than women (29.8%). Having more than one sexual partner in the past 12 months was significantly more prevalent among men (4.9%) than among women (0.2%) 50 years and above. The overall HIV prevalence was 5.8% and it was significantly higher among the rural and less educated Black African population group than among the urban, educated and non-Black African population group. Among men the HIV prevalence seemed to decline with age, while HIV prevalence was similar across age groups among women. In multiple regression analysis, older age, being female, rural residence, lower educational level, receiving social grants or pension, and low HIV risk perception were associated with HIV risk behaviour. The study contributes to the understanding of the
epidemiology of HIV infection in older individuals which is critical for intervention efforts.