Assessment of factors associated with HIV risk behaviors among women

A cross-sectional study using structured questionnaire was conducted in two sites in Livingstone, selected on the basis of socio-economic status. 130 women aged 15-49years were randomly selected using a 10% systematic sample of households and the data collected was analyzed using EPI INFO version 2000. The study mean age was 29.5 years. 3.1 %( n=2) of women revealed their HIV sero-status while 4.6 %( n=3) were in polygamous marriage. Women with Secondary education was the highest respondents, 55.4 %( n=36) peri-urban community and 47.7 %( n=31) urban community. Urban community had the highest proportion of women (16.6%) with College/University education compared to 1.6 %( n=1) peri-urban community. 84.6% (n=55) were unemployed from the peri-urban compared to 60% (n=39) from the urban community. The study revealed that there was an association between high risk behaviour for contracting HIV with residence (p=0.034) as well marital status (p=0.046). Married women were more at risk of contracting HIV (62.1%) than women who are not married (34.9%). Women in urban areas were more likely to be at high risk behaviour of contracting HIV (62.8%) than women in the peri-urban area (37.2%).