Regional patterns and correlates of gender differences in HIV risk behaviour among Nigerian adolescents and young adults

Context: Heterosexual transmission has been found to be the major route of HIV infection in Nigeria. Thus prevention of HIV infection by reducing risky behaviors has been identified as a public health priority. This study examines regional pattern and correlates of gender differences in HIV risk behaviors among Nigerian youths aged 15-24 years. As different geo-political regions have specific gender ideologies and practices, there is need to find out if gender differences in Nigeria regions drive HIV risk behaviors among youths. Method: Data from the 2003 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey were analyzed for never married, sexually experienced 342 males and 630 females. Multiple sex partnerships and pattern of condom use were the HIV risk behaviors examined. Respondents were asked the number of sexual partners in the last 12 months while pattern of condom use is a composite variable of four items in the 2003 NDHS. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were done using STATA 9.SE. Binary and multinomial logistic models were used for multivariate analyses. Results: The study shows that there is high level of risk behaviours in the population. This cuts across gender and regions. For instance, 54% of males and 69% of females engage in inconsistent condom use and 30% of males and 9% of females in multiple sex partnership. This pattern is consistent across the regions. It is also shown that while correlates of HIV risk behaviours vary by gender, its regional variation by gender is inconsistent. The study highlights inconsistent gender differentiation by regions. Further investigation is necessary to explain this observation

Determinants of Information about Sexual Health and High-Risk Sexual Behaviour amongst Migrant Youths in Johannesburg, South Africa

Sexual health is essential to the complete well-being of every individual, and provision of all-inclusive and superior-quality information about living a healthful sexual life is necessary for everyone in a community, especially for youths. Using data collected in 2019 from 467 male and female immigrant youths between 18 and 34 years of age who resided in a suburb of the inner city of Johannesburg, this secondary analytical study examined the determining factors of sources of information about sexual health, using condoms inconsistently, and engaging in multiple sexual relationships. Binary logistic regression and negative binomial regression models were employed to understand the relationships between explanatory variables and outcome variables. The determinants of the sources of information about sexual health were gender, educational attainment level, wealth index, and age at first sexual intercourse. Gender, age group, marital status, and migration status were the determining factors for inconsistency of condom use. Gender, migration status, marital status, age at first sexual intercourse, and having had sex while drunk were the determinants of engaging in multiple sexual relationships. Avoiding behaviours that expose individuals to sexual risks and the negative consequences of unprotected sexual activity is crucial for youths. This study shows that receiving information about sexual health from informal sources and high-risk sexual behaviour are major public health problems amongst the immigrant youths

Health Vulnerabilities among Migrant/Mobile Populations in Urban Settings of East and Southern Africa: A Regional Synthesis of Evidence from Literature

Using the principles of reputational case selection sampling procedure and thematic search of electronic databases and websites, we implemented a regional synthesis of evidence on the health vulnerabilities of migrant and mobile populations in urban areas of East and Southern Africa. The review identified key health challenges relating to various diseases, including the increasing challenge of non-communicable diseases, such diabetes among migrants by 2030. While figures are difficult to obtain, our review suggested high levels of urban migrants, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and asylum seekers in urban areas of the region, which for undocumented migrants poses particular logistics challenges in terms of administering targeted interventions, more so in contexts where poor socio-economic situations of countries do not provide them with opportunities to become self-reliant and less dependent on humanitarian assistance. This calls for policies, program interventions and research investments targeting vulnerable migrant and mobile groups in the regio

HIV prevalence and TB in migrant miners communities of origin in Gaza Province, Mozambique: The need for increasing awareness and knowledge.

BACKGROUND:As part of ongoing efforts to generate evidence needed on HIV and tuberculosis (TB) to inform policies and programs aimed to improve the health outcomes of migrants and communities affected by migration and mining, a preliminary investigation was conducted through a biological and behavioral (BBS) approach related to HIV and TB in two communities of origin of migrant mineworkers in Gaza Province. The main objective was to determine the prevalence of HIV and the rates of asymptomatic infection by TB, and the social and behavioral risk factors associated. METHODS:A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May to June 2017 using a simple random sampling methodology. Eligible participants were individuals who were living in the community at the time the survey was conducted, which included adult mine workers and members of their families aged 18 and above. A socio-behavioral questionnaire was administered, blood specimens were collected for HIV testing (Determine/Unigold) and sputum for TB (GeneXpert MTB/RIF) was collected. The statistical analysis was performed using the R studio software to produce means, proportion and odds ratio at 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS:A total of 1012 participants were enrolled, 75.2% were females, with a median age of 34. The overall prevalence of HIV found in the two communities was 24.2% (CI: 21.6-27.0) and was higher in the rural community (31.6%; 95% CI: 27.0-35.3). The prevalence of active TB was found to be 0.3% (n = 3) while 7.5% of the participants self-reported to have been previously diagnosed with TB at some point in their life. Only 2.8% of participants had knowledge of the basic principles of TB transmission. Condom use at last sexual intercourse with a regular partner was low among both sexes (17.3% male and 12.6% female). A considerable proportion of participants had not been aware of their HIV positive serostatus(31.1% female and 25.0% male). About 1/3 of the participants had had a history of STIs. CONCLUSION:The results of this survey confirm a high prevalence of HIV in communities of origin of migrant miners in Gaza province. Findings also demonstrated low levels of awareness/ knowledge and prevention of TB and HIV. It is important to strengthen strategies that encourage regular HIV testing and TB screening. Appropriate communication interventions on methods of transmission and prevention of HIV and TB in these communities must be intensified, as well as ensuring ongoing linkage to TB and HIV social and healthcare services