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Associations between alcohol misuse and risks for HIV infection among men who have multiple female sexual partners in Cape Town, South Africa.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20824551     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The occurrence of high rates of alcohol consumption in a context of high HIV prevalence in South Africa poses a significant health challenge for this country. This paper aims to answer three questions that could further our knowledge regarding the links between alcohol use and HIV infection: (a) "Are problem drinkers more likely to have multiple concurrent partners than those who are not?"; (b) "Are condoms applied less effectively and less consistently by problem drinkers compared to those who are not?"; (c) "Are the female sexual partners of problem drinkers different from those who are not?" Two cross-sectional HIV bio-behavioural surveillance surveys using Respondent-Driven Sampling were conducted in two peri-urban settings on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. Eight hundred and forty-eight men aged 25-55 years who have multiple, concurrent female sexual partners were recruited. Problem drinkers had a score of ≥3 on the CAGE questionnaire. Questions enquired about partner numbers, condom use and partner traits. Multivariate logistic regression models were developed to determine significant associations between outcome variables and problem drinking. Fifty-eight percent of men were problem drinkers. Compared to non-problem drinkers, problem drinkers were significantly more likely to report having any symptom of a STI; not using condoms due to drinking; inconsistent condom use with all partner types; that their most recent once-off partner was unemployed; having met their most recent partner at an alcohol-serving venue; and having had a once-off sexual relationship. Alcohol may fuel once-off sexual encounters, often characterised by transactional sex and women's limited authority to negotiate sex and condom use; factors that can facilitate transmission of HIV. HIV prevention interventions specifically targeting drinkers, the contexts in which problem drinking occurs and multiple sexual partnering are urgently needed.
Authors:
Loraine Townsend; Samantha R Rosenthal; Charles D H Parry; Yanga Zembe; Catherine Mathews; Alan J Flisher
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  AIDS care     Volume:  22     ISSN:  1360-0451     ISO Abbreviation:  AIDS Care     Publication Date:  2010 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-12-14     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8915313     Medline TA:  AIDS Care     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1544-54     Citation Subset:  IM; X    
Affiliation:
Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa. loraine.townsend@mrc.ac.za
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