HIV risk behavior and work in Uganda: a cross-sectional study

East Afr J Public Health. 2008 Apr;5(1):43-8. doi: 10.4314/eajph.v5i1.38976.

Abstract

Objective: The study assessed the prevalence of factors associated with HIV risky behaviour among employees of a Sugar Factory in Jinja District, Uganda.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 321 participants was carried out in a Sugar Factory where several workers were migrants. Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, information on socio-demographic characteristics, work factors and sexual behaviours was obtained.

Results: Fifty-one percent of the men and 32% of the women reported having multiple sex partners in the past year. Thirty-six percent of the respondents reported using condoms during the last casual sex. Twenty-four percent of men and 15% women reported sexually transmitted infection-related symptoms in the last one-year. Having multiple sex partners was associated with being a contract worker (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.10-3.79) and being married but not living with spouse (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.16-4.00).

Conclusion: HIV risk behaviour among Sugar Factory workers is associated with separation from partner. HIV intervention strategies should include work related factors of this type.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Condoms
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sexual Behavior*
  • Transients and Migrants
  • Uganda / epidemiology