A statistical analysis of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) data to determine the risk factors for HIV infection in Namibia
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Date
2014
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Abstract
In an effort to provide information that can guide prevention strategies, this study determined the risk factors for HIV infection in Namibia and estimated the potential for HIV prevention. The study adopted a cross sectional research design with a sample of 14296 VCT clients from Oshana, Khomas and Kavango regions of Namibia for the period of 2009 to 2012. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for HIV infection among VCT clients. For risk factors which are amenable to intervention, the Population Attributable Risk Percent (PAR %) was computed. The magnitudes of PAR% were then used as the basis for selecting risk factors that pose the greatest health threat to the population for prioritisation in HIV programming. From a targeting perspective, sex, condom use, marital status, region of residence, male circumcision status, age and level of education were found to be significant predictors of HIV infection. Alcohol use was not associated with HIV infection in these regions. Among these risk factors, not using condoms and not being circumcised are amenable to intervention and interventions that eliminate exposure to these risk factors can avert up to 22% and 18% of the disease burden respectively assuming all other conditions remain the same.
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science.
Keywords
HIV infection, VCT data, Logic regression, Risk factors, Attributable risk, HIV prevention