Use of antenatal clinic surveillance to assess the effect of sexual behavior on HIV prevalence in young women in Karonga district, Malawi

Crampin, A. C. , Jahn, A., Kondowe, M., Ngwira, B. M., Hemmings, J., Glynn, J. R., Floyd, S., Fine, P. E. and Zaba, B. (2008) Use of antenatal clinic surveillance to assess the effect of sexual behavior on HIV prevalence in young women in Karonga district, Malawi. JAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 48(2), pp. 196-202. (doi: 10.1097/qai.0b013e31817236c4) (PMID:18520678) (PMCID:PMC2478724)

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Abstract

Background: Antenatal clinic (ANC) surveillance is the primary source of HIV prevalence estimates in low-resource settings. In younger women, prevalence approximates incidence. Sexual behavior monitoring to explain HIV distribution and trends is seldom attempted in ANC surveys. We explore the use of marital history in ANC surveillance as a proxy for sexual behavior. Methods: Five ANC clinics in a rural African district participated in surveillance from 1999 to 2004. Unlinked anonymous HIV testing and marital history interviews (including age at first sex and socioeconomic variables) were conducted. Data on women aged <25 years were analyzed. Results: Inferred sexual exposure before marriage and after first marriage increased the adjusted odds of infection with HIV by more than 0.1 for each year of exposure. Increasing years within a first marriage did not increase HIV risk. After adjusting for age, women in more recent birth cohorts were less likely to be infected. Conclusions: Marital status is useful behavioral information and can be collected in ANC surveys. Exposure in an ongoing first marriage did not increase the odds of infection with HIV in this age group. HIV prevalence decreased over time in young women. ANC surveillance programs should develop proxy sexual behavior questions, particularly in younger women.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The KPS is supported by the Wellcome Trust and the British Leprosy Relief Association. J. R. Glynn was supported by the UK Department of Health.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Crampin, Professor Mia
Authors: Crampin, A. C., Jahn, A., Kondowe, M., Ngwira, B. M., Hemmings, J., Glynn, J. R., Floyd, S., Fine, P. E., and Zaba, B.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
Journal Name:JAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
Publisher:Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
ISSN:1525-4135
ISSN (Online):1944-7884

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