Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 among bar and hotel workers in northern Tanzania: the role of alcohol, sexual behavior, and herpes simplex virus type 2.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed baseline prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and other STDs, as well as behavioral and biologic risk factors for HIV-1 in a population of female bar/hotel workers in Moshi, Tanzania.


METHODS
Between 2002 and 2003, we enrolled 1042 female bar/hotel workers in an ongoing prospective cohort study. We analyzed data collected at baseline to assess the associations between alcohol, sexual behavior, STDs, and HIV-1 infection.


RESULTS
The prevalence of HIV-1 infection was 19.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 16.6%-21.4%). Consistent condom use was low (11.1%). HIV-1 was associated with genital ulcers on examination (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.16-3.74), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) (AOR = 3.80, 95% CI = 2.42-5.97), and problem drinking (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.06-3.47). Other independent predictors of HIV-1 were increasing age, number of sex partners, cohabitating, formerly married, location of employment, and having a husband with another wife.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that programs designed to control HSV-2, reduce the number of sexual partners and alcohol use, and promote condom use could be effective in reducing transmission of HIV-1 in this population.
Ao
Trong T H
TT
Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, 98145, USA. tonyao@u.washington.edu
Sam
Noel E
NE
Masenga
Elisante J
EJ
Seage
George R
GR
Kapiga
Saidi H
SH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology