Study of HIV Prevalence and Behaviors in Rural Areas of Goudomp Health District (Senegal)

Abstract

This study aims to determine the factors related to HIV-positive status in people aged 15 to 49 years of age in the commune of Niagha in Goudomp. The study was descriptive and analytically cross-cutting and had taken place in a release of 2018. The data was collected on anonymous questionnaires and then analyzed using R software after entering with Epi 7 software. Bivariate analyses and logistical modelling have been used to investigate the factors associated with HIV status. The sample included 400 people, and a participation rate of 100% was obtained in relation to the administration of the questionnaire. For the detection of HIV infection, 318 people agreed to do so, a proportion of 79.7%. The average age of the respondents was 27.8 years with a standard deviation of 9.1 and extremes of 15 to 49 years. 21.5% of respondents were under 20 years of age, the median was 26 years. With 58.8% of women, the sex ratio (M/F) was 0.7. In this study, 11.5% of respondents did not believe in the existence of HIV infection, 92.0% were sexually active, and 40.5% had sex with casual partners. The main places for casual sex were cultural events (84.0%), weekly markets (53.1%), religious events (27.8%) and during travel (22.8%). Among them, only 20 respondents, or 12.3%, declared that they systematically protect themselves with a condom during these occasional sexual relations. This wearing of condoms was found in 20.7% of singles and 10.7% of married couples having casual sex. In this study, 60.0% of the respondents declared that they had paid for sex, although this practice is not cited in income-generating activities. Non-consensual sex was found in 6.5% of the respondents. In this study, 319 people agreed to be tested for HIV, or 79.7% of the sample. HIV infection was found in 19 people, 6.0% seroprevalence, with 16 cases of HIV 1 infection and three cases of HIV 2 infection. Several risk behaviors were found in this study. However, none of them had a statistically significant link to HIV seropositivity. The prevalence of HIV infection in Niagha common is very high compared to data from the Sedhiou region and national level. Risky sexual behaviors are found in this population with no statistically significant link to HIV. Studies with a mixed approach would be more appropriate to study these relationships.