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William N. Mkanta
University of Florida

 

     

Determinants of Deliberate Transmission of HIV among Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania

Attitudes of deliberate HIV transmission were examined among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) attending counseling sessions and living in different HIV impact areas of Tanzania. Female PLWH formed majority (67 %) of all the clients at the counseling centers. These women were predominantly widows who lost their husbands through HIV-related deaths and were frequently in urgent need of assistance. Acts revealing deliberate transmission of HIV were found to evolve through sexual relationships. About 53% of PLWH did not inform their new sexual partners of their HIV status, while 62 % of the PLWH that entered into sexual relationships with HIV-free partners did not practice protective sex. Overall, thirty-three percent of the PLWH who entered into new sexual unions admitted doing so for the purpose of infecting their partners with HIV. Major reasons leading to attempts of deliberate HIV transmission included lack of HIV counseling, search for death mates, and family/community rejection or discrimination. Despite gender equality in the likelihood of forming sexual relationships, logistic regression revealed that male PLWH were more likely to attempt deliberate transmission of HIV to their partners. Perception of being a victim of intentional HIV infection, living in high impact area, living in affected household, and being a victim of family discrimination were independent predictors of PLWH involvement in deliberate transmission of HIV. Educational intervention emphasizing on positive living with HIV is needed to minimize the risk of deliberately spreading HIV.


Africa Conference 2005: African Health and Illness
Convened by Dr. Toyin Falola for the Center for African and African American Studies
Coordinated by Matthew Heaton Webmaster, Technical Coordinator: Sam Saverance