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Ethiopia is one of the countries most seriously affected by HIV/AIDS in the world. With
2.2 million individuals living with the virus the 2001 estimate of HIV prevalence is 6.6%
ranging from 3.7% in the rural to 13.7% in the urban centers.
This cross sectional study is aimed at investigation of the prevalence and incidence of
HIV- 1 infection and to assess knowledge and willingness to participate in HIV vaccine
trial among residents of Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate. It was conducted in Wonji Shoa
Sugar Estate between December 2002 and February 2003. A total of 1998 and 371
randomly selected individuals aged 18-29 participated in the serosurvey and behavioral
survey respectively.
Information regarding sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behavior and knowledge
on HIV and vaccines was collected using a structured questionnaire. ELISA test was used
to determine the prevalence of HIV-1 infection and the BED IgG capture assay was
applied to identify recent infections.
The prevalence and incidence of HIV-1 infection was found to be 2.46% and 0.4 per 100
persons respectively. Prevalence of HIV-1 infection was significantly higher among
females 3.49% (P<0.05) in the age groups 20-24 and 25-29 years (3.57% and 4.83%,
p<0.05, respectively) among the residents of the two factory villages Wonji (3.58%) and
Shoa (3.34%) and among day laborers (3.73%) all with p<0.05. There was high
knowledge of HIV prevention and low level of misconceptions regarding transmission
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but low condom use among those involved in risky sexual behaviors. The majority were
also assuming themselves as not being high risk for HIV while they were involved in
risky sexual behavior. Despite misconceptions on the uses of vaccines, the majority of the
respondents were willing to participate in HIV vaccine trial.
From this study it was concluded that Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate is a low HIV prevalence
site with the incidence of HIV infection a bit higher than the existing cohort with
adequate knowledge of HIV and few misconceptions regarding transmission of HIV, use
of vaccines and remarkable majority willing to participate in HIV vaccine trial. To
maintain the prevalence and incidence of HIV-1 infections at a further lower level and
conduct HIV vaccine trial a more focused educational intervention is required for the
general community with special emphasis on females and the residents of the two factory
villages is recommended. The low incidence of HIV-1 infection and the high willingness
of participants to enroll in a HIV vaccine trial make Wonji a potential site for Phase I/II
vaccine trial. |
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