Association between alcohol use and sexual risk behaviours for HIV transmission among clients attending HIV voluntary counseling and testing at Muhimbili health information centre in Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Background: Understanding the association of alcohol use to HIV transmission is of utmost importance particularly in regard to control of the HIV pandemic. As many as 50% of people living in areas of Southern Africa where HIV is most prevalent report current alcohol use 21. Unfortunately, very little is known regarding the patterns of alcohol consumption that are mostly associated with risk for HIV transmission. Objective: This study was designed to determine the association between alcohol use and HIV serostatus as well as sexual risk behaviors among clients who voluntarily seek HIV testing and counseling (VCT) at Muhimbili Health Information Centre (MHIC), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design, using quantitative data collection methods, was conducted using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) over a period of two months, November 2009 through January 2010 to screen 800 participants, who attended HIV/VCT at MHIC. Results: The overall prevalence of HIV was 13.9% (95% Cl of 1.5%-16.5%), being higher among women than men (P-value = 0.001). Twenty seven percent of the study participants were alcohol users. Alcohol use behavior was significantly high among study participants who were males (P-value = 0.002), Christians, (P-value = 0.000), single, (P-value = 0.006), and employed (P-value = 0.032). The risk of HIV infection increases with increase in frequency, (P- value = 0.006), and levels (amount) of alcohol use (P- value = 0.000). The majority of the study participants, who drank alcohol at the harmful and dependence level, were highly likely to report non-regular sexual partners (P values = 0.006) and not to use condom in all sexual contacts with non regular sexual partners (P values = 0.000). Female and male drinkers were more likely to test positive for HIV compared to non drinkers, (P value = 0.002, and P value = 0.012) respectively