AEGiS-13IAC: HIV related risk behaviours and HIV seroprevalance in an African prison establishment.

13th International AIDS Conference

Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

HIV related risk behaviours and HIV seroprevalance in an African prison establishment.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. MoPeC2336)

Simooya O, Sanjobo N, Kaetano L, Musonda R
O. Simooya, Copperbelt University, PO Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia, Tel.: +260 2 222 206, Fax: +260 2 222 469, E-mail: cbumed@zamnet.zm

BACKGROUND: Inmate populations include a large number of individuals at risk of HIV infection. However, there is insufficient data about HIV/AIDS epidemiology in prisons. Our study, conducted in Zambia, was designed to address this shortfall.

METHODS: The study was carried out in three of the country's main jails and was voluntary and open to all inmates in prison at the time of our visits. Information on HIV related risk behaviours was obtained in one to one interviews using a semi structured questionnaire. HIV seropositivity was determined using two Elisas. Syphillis reactivity was tested by Immutrep RPR and Immutrep TPHA.

RESULTS: A total of 1596 inmates participated in the study out of whom 1566 (98%) gave samples for testing. Four hundred and twenty one (27%) inmates had HIV infection while 237 (15%) had syphillis antibodies. Fifty-nine inmates (3.7%) engaged in sex with other men (MSM) and 127 (11.0%) said they had used drugs in prison. Over 60% of inmates had shared razor blades in prison while 269 (16.9%) had tattoes. There was an association between MSM and HIV seropositivity and between syphillis result and HIV infection. No relationship was found between HIV result and sharing of razors and presence of tattoes. No condoms were distributed at all three prisons.

CONCLUSION: Over one in four inmates are HIV seropositive in Zambian prisons and although most of the infection may be from outside some inmates may be getting HIV inside. There is an urgent need to develop programmes for the protection of inmates. The continued silence over the high risk HIV/AIDS situation in prisons must be broken immediately.

Keywords: AEGIS, Risk-Taking, Prisons, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Questionnaires, Ethnic Groups, Condoms, Zambia, Human, Male
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