Abstract:
Background: Understanding the association of alcohol use to HIV transmission is of utmost
importance particularly in regard to control of the HIV pandemic. As many as 50% of people
living in areas of Southern Africa where HIV is most prevalent report current alcohol use 21.
Unfortunately, very little is known regarding the patterns of alcohol consumption that are
mostly associated with risk for HIV transmission.
Objective: This study was designed to determine the association between alcohol use and
HIV serostatus as well as sexual risk behaviors among clients who voluntarily seek HIV
testing and counseling (VCT) at Muhimbili Health Information Centre (MHIC), Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design, using quantitative data
collection methods, was conducted using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test
(AUDIT) over a period of two months, November 2009 through January 2010 to screen 800
participants, who attended HIV/VCT at MHIC.
Results: The overall prevalence of HIV was 13.9% (95% Cl of 1.5%-16.5%), being higher
among women than men (P-value = 0.001). Twenty seven percent of the study participants
were alcohol users. Alcohol use behavior was significantly high among study participants
who were males (P-value = 0.002), Christians, (P-value = 0.000), single, (P-value = 0.006),
and employed (P-value = 0.032). The risk of HIV infection increases with increase in
frequency, (P- value = 0.006), and levels (amount) of alcohol use (P- value = 0.000). The
majority of the study participants, who drank alcohol at the harmful and dependence level,
were highly likely to report non-regular sexual partners (P values = 0.006) and not to use
condom in all sexual contacts with non regular sexual partners (P values = 0.000). Female
and male drinkers were more likely to test positive for HIV compared to non drinkers,
(P value = 0.002, and P value = 0.012) respectively.
