HIV Prevalence and Risk Behaviors Among Mozambicans Working in South African Mines
AIDS behav; 19 (59-67), 2019
Ano de publicação: 2019
Mineworkers are considered a population at risk
for HIV due to risk behaviors associated with migratory work
patterns. This was the first study in Mozambique to determine
the prevalence of HIV and associated demographic and risk
behaviors, and assess use and access to prevention and
healthcare services among Mozambicans working in South
African mines. Men who had worked in a South African mine
in the past 12 months were recruited between February and
May 2012 using time location sampling (TLS) at the Ressano
Garcia border between Mozambique and South Africa.
Demographic and behavioral data were collected through a
standardized questionnaire, and HIV prevalence was estimated
by testing dried blood spots (DBS) with two enzyme immunoassays. In total, 432 eligible mine workers were recruited.
Mean age was 43 years. Most were married or cohabitating;
among them, 12.6 % had two or more wives/marital partners in
Mozambique. In the 12 months preceding the survey, 24.7 %
had an occasional sexual partner, and 6.6 % had at least one
partner who was a female sex worker. Only one in five (18.5 %)
used a condom during last sex. HIV prevalence among mineworkers was 22.3 %, and 74.6 % of those who tested positive
as part of the survey did not know their status. HIV prevalence
was significantly higher (p = 0.018) among those that were
uncircumcised (31.2 %) than those who were circumcised
(18.5 %). Multiple partners (multiple spouses, cross-border
relations, and multiple occasional partnerships), inconsistent
condom use, and a high proportion of infected mineworkers
who do not know their HIV status increases the risk of HIV
transmission in this population. Combination strategies
involving the promotion of condom use, HIV testing, and male
circumcision should be strengthened among mineworkers.