Abstract:
Heterosexual contact has remained the major route for HIV transmission In the expanding
HIV epidemic and is re ponsible for over 80% of all new infections in sub- Saharan Africa.
Promotion of safer sexual practice ha continued to be the 1110st single important method of
prevention of HIV transmission in African countries that lack effective vaccine or readily
available antiretroviral therapy. Such interventions are important to Most at Risk Populations
(MARPs) that include bar workers who form a group with significantly higher HIV prevalence
than that of the general population. The main objective of this study was to determine extent
and factors associated with high risk sexual behaviours among bar workers in Terneke district
Oar es Salaam and their perceived susceptibility to HIV infection.
A multi-stage sampling strategy was used for selecting the study sample. A total of 419 bar
workers were interviewed. Data was generated using structured interview. Unprotected sex
was found to be fairly common. While 69.7% practiced unprotected vaginal sex, 22.5% had
anal sex experience. 35.4% had tried oral sex and 23.5% had practiced masturbation. Only
30% used condoms during their last sexual experience. Incentives for engaging in risk sexual
behaviours were receiving gi fts or cash, drinks or alcohol, getting job or job security and
getting or maintaining a place of residence. In conclusion, there is a large unmet need for
interventions to raise awareness and supporting behaviour change for HIV prevention among
bar workers to effectively reduce HIV transmission.
