Title: Differential human immunodeficiency virus risk factors among female general nurses, nurse midwives and office workers / teachers in Zambia.

POPLINE Document Number: 120491

Author(s):

Siziya S
Hakim JG

Source citation:

CENTRAL AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE, 1996 Apr;42(4):114-7.

Abstract:

The risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were compared in a cross-sectional analysis of 370 general nurses, 370 nurse-midwives, and 370 office workers and teachers. Positive HIV tests were obtained from 163 general nurses, 146 nurse-midwives, and 156 office workers/teachers. Office workers and teachers were less knowledgeable about the routes of HIV transmission than nurses and nurse-midwives; only 31% of women in the former group, compared with 43% of those in the latter groups, had adequate knowledge scores. The only significant risk factor for HIV infection among nurse-midwives was blood transfusion (odds ratio (OR) 2.17, 95% confidence interval 1.13-4.14). Among general nurses, significant risk factors included a history of genital ulcers (OR 3.59, 1.30-10.85), history of a sexually transmitted disease after 1980 (OR 5.17, 1.60-15.05), and more than one sexual partner (OR 4.08, 1.54-13.0). Among office workers and teachers, the only significant risk factor was scarification (OR 1.66, 1.07-2.57). The variation in risk factors identified in these three groups suggests a need for HIV prevention interventions tailored to different sectors of the Zambian population.

Keywords:

Zambia
Cross Sectional Analysis
Prevalence
HIV Infections
AIDS
Risk Factors
Nurses and Nursing
Nurse-Midwives
Teachers
Africa, Southern
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Developing Countries
Research Methodology
Measurement
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Biology
Health Personnel
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Education