Migration, sexual behaviour, and human immunodeficiency virus infection in rural South Africa
Date
2008-03-11T10:52:37Z
Authors
Lumfwa, Louis Adolf Muzinga
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
HIV has been linked to many risk factors such as sexual behaviour, gender,
gender based violence, poverty, migration, conflicts, sexually transmitted
diseases and circumcision. In this project, the role played by migration was
particularly underscored. The aim of the study was to estimate and to compare
the prevalence of HIV infection among migrants and non-migrants and to
investigate whether migration leads to increased high risk sexual behaviour
among migrant workers aged between 14 and 35 years from Limpopo Province.
This study was based on a secondary data analysis from a large community
intervention study. A random sample of 2860 participants were selected in a
cross sectional study after pair matching a community of villages set for an
intervention. Data were collected using a questionnaire in English with a version
in Sotho. HIV test was performed on oral fluid using Vironostika HIV Uniform oral
fluid. The study was approved by Wits University and Informed consent was
previously obtained by the original study. Stata was used for the statistical
analyses of the data.
This study found that the HIV prevalence among migrants was not statistically
different from the prevalence among non-migrants (10.04% versus 10.97%; p =
0.662), that the slight association between migration and HIV infection was not
significant (Adjusted OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 0.7 – 2.01) (p = 0.520). There was no
association between migration and sexual behaviour such as sexual
experience, age at first sexual relationship, have ever had sexual relationship
and used a condom. However the study showed an association between
migration and the number of sexual partners. These striking findings suggest that
migration does not always lead to an increased risk of HIV infection even though
it can lead to an increase of number of sexual partners.
The study concludes that migration did not prove to be a risk factor for HIV
infection. However, other underlying structural factors need to be examined for a
better understanding of the conditions that lead to HIV infection. It recommends
interventions that cover information (Knowledge, attitude and belief), risk
perception and change of sexual behaviour.
Description
Keywords
migration, HIV, sexual behaviour, rural South Africa