Sexual risk-taking and HIV testing among health workers in Zambia.
Health workers (N=692) in five Zambian hospitals were interviewed to assess HIV/AIDS risk-taking and status awareness. They comprised of physicians, nurses, clinical officers and paramedics. Only 33% had been tested for HIV and only 24% said their partner had been tested. 26 percent of sexually active respondents had multiple partners; thirty-seven percent of these had not used condoms. Only 60% of respondents believed condoms were effective in preventing HIV. Women were less likely to trust or use condoms even in high-risk relationships. The data suggest a need to develop HIV/AIDS programs for health workers, with emphasis towards gender-based obstacles hampering safer behaviors.
Kiragu
Karusa
K
Population Council-Horizons/PATH, General Accident House, Ralph Bunche Road, Enterprise Road, P.O. Box 17643-00500, Nairobi, Kenya. kkiragu@pcnairobi.org
Ngulube
Thabale
T
Nyumbu
Mutinta
M
Njobvu
Panganani
P
Eerens
Peter
P
Mwaba
Chilufya
C
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014505:Urban Population; D015024:Zambia / Q000453:epidemiology