HIV infection among internally displaced women and women residing in river populations along the Congo River, Democratic Republic of Congo.
We conducted a reproductive health assessment among women aged 15-49 years residing in an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp and surrounding river populations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After providing informed consent, participants were administered a behavioral questionnaire on demographics, sexual risk, reproductive health behavior, and a history of gender based violence. Participants provided a blood specimen for HIV and syphilis testing and were referred to HIV counseling and testing services established for this study to learn their HIV status. HIV prevalence was significantly higher among women in the IDP population compared to women in the river population. Sexually transmitted infection symptoms in the past 12 months and a history of sexual violence during the conflict were associated with HIV infection the river and IDP population, respectively. Targeted prevention, care, and treatment services are urgently needed for the IDP population and surrounding host communities during displacement and resettlement.
Kim
Andrea A
AA
National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. aakim@cdc.gov
Malele
Faustin
F
Kaiser
Reinhard
R
Mama
Nicaise
N
Kinkela
Timothée
T
Mantshumba
Jean-Caurent
JC
Hynes
Michelle
M
De Jesus
Stacy
S
Musema
Godefoid
G
Kayembe
Patrick K
PK
Hawkins Reed
Karen
K
Diaz
Theresa
T