HIV in Sunyani and peri-urban areas is associated with previous history of syphilis infection and multiple sexual partners- A cross-sectional study

Kingsley  Arhin-Wiredu; Raymond  Boadu  Annor; Frank  Adusei-Mensah; Bismark Sarfo

doi:10.46829/hsijournal.2024.7.6.1.776-782

Kingsley Arhin-Wiredu Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
Raymond Boadu Annor Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
Frank Adusei-Mensah Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
Bismark Sarfo Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46829/hsijournal.2024.7.6.1.776-782

Keywords: HIV, AIDS, Syphilis, Ghana

Abstract

Background: The Bono Region of Ghana has consistently recorded increase in HIV prevalence over the years with an average prevalence of 3.4% in the recent HIV survey. Sunyani, the capital Region of Bono recorded an HIV prevalence of 3.8% higher than the National average. Against this background, this study assessed the factors associated with the high HIV prevalence in the Sunyani municipality in the Bono Region of Ghana.

Method: Participants (445) accessing HIV counselling and testing services were enrolled from three hospital in the Sunyani Municipality using cross-sectional design, from March to August 2018 and were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and logistic regressions analyses were used to identify factors associated with HIV prevalence at p < 0.05 with 95% confidence interval.

Results: The mean age of respondents was 30.8±8.5 years. The prevalence of HIV among participants was 10.3% (95% CI: 7.82-13.54). HIV prevalence per sub districts ranged from 0 to 11.9% with New Dormaa recording the highest of 11.9% (CI: 5.7-23.1). 28% (13/56) of the HIV positive participants reside in districts outside the Sunyani Municipality. Participants with previous history of syphilis were 6 times more likely to be HIV positive compared with those with vaginal or urethral discharges (aOR=6.39, 95% CI: 4.14-9.78), and those with multiple sex partners have 3 times increased odds of getting HIV than those with single partner (aOR=3.33, 95% CI: 1.16-9.55).

Conclusion: There was high prevalence of HIV in Sunyani municipality and surrounding districts. HIV prevalence was significantly associated with multiple partners and previous history of syphilis infection.