title: Prevalence and risk factors associated with female anal sex in the context of HIV/AIDS in the selected districts of Tanzania.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Female anal sex is a receptive type of sexual practice among heterosexual couples where the penis is inserted into the anus of a female partner. In the Western world, a number of studies and interventions have been carried out on anal sex among men due to its potential risks to HIV transmission. In African countries, including Tanzania, there is dearth of information on the risks inherent in practices associated with female anal sex in the general population. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with female anal sex in fuelling HIV transmission in selected districts of Tanzania.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted in four districts of Tanzania of Kinondoni, Tanga Urban, Makete and Siha. Both quantitative and qualitative methods i.e. household interviews and focus group discussions were employed in data collection. Study participants included community members of aged 15 and above such as heads of the household, adolescents, bar workers and commercial sex workers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 903 individuals were interviewed, 60.6% of whom were females. When respondents were asked to indicate whether they had ever been tempted to practise FAS, 167 (18.5%) reported to have been tempted in the past 12 months. Of these, 44 (26.3%) respondents had at least practised FAS. Risky practices associated with FAS were forced sex, multiple partners, frequency of engaging in FAS, low use of condoms during FAS, low rates of HIV testing among partakers, poor perception of the risks to acquire HIV through FAS and use of lubricants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this population, the frequency of FAS practice was rather low. And yet, FAS practice attendant risk factors are likely to exacerbate HIV transmission. As such, there is a need for further exploratory studies to determine and document drivers of FAS. In addition, public health education should be provided with regard to the risks of contracting HIV associated with FAS practices.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Medical Research Headquarters, P.O. Box 9653, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. bshayo@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Elizabeth H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Shayo
authors.affiliation: Tukuyu Medical Research Centre, P.O. Box 538, Tukuyu, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Akili A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kalinga
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Medical Research Headquarters, P.O. Box 9653, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Kesheni P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Senkoro
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Medical Research Headquarters, P.O. Box 9653, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Msovela
authors.affiliation: Tukuyu Medical Research Centre, P.O. Box 538, Tukuyu, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Erick J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Mgina
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Medical Research Headquarters, P.O. Box 9653, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Angela E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Shija
authors.affiliation: Tukuyu Medical Research Centre, P.O. Box 538, Tukuyu, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Godlisten
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Materu
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Medical Research Headquarters, P.O. Box 9653, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Stella P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kilima
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Medical Research Headquarters, P.O. Box 9653, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Leonard E G
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Mboera
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Medical Research Headquarters, P.O. Box 9653, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Julius J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Massaga
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups / Q000379:methods; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Female anal sex; HIV/AIDS; Practices; Risk factors; Tanzania