OBJECTIVES: To assess HIV knowledge, attitudes, sexual practices and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery in border areas of Tanzania, with a view to support the prioritisation of SRH interventions in border areas. METHODS: The target sample comprised randomly selected people living near the border, aged 15 to 49 years. To gather information, we utilised: (i) a standardised questionnaire (n = 86; 42 men and 44 women) previously used in national household surveys conducted by the Tanzanian government; (ii) focus group discussions (ten male groups, n = 47; ten female groups, n = 51); and (iii) semi-structured interviews with service providers (n = 37). RESULTS: The mean number of sexual partners, frequency of multiple concurrent partnerships and engagement in transactional sex were significantly higher in the border community than in the national population. Knowledge about HIV was comparable with that in the general population. Access to SRH services was limited in the border areas. CONCLUSION: Efforts to reduce HIV transmission and to improve SRH in the border areas should focus on gaps in service delivery rather than education and information activities alone. In addition, multi-sectorial efforts spanning the health, social, legal and private sectors addressing gender imbalances and poverty alleviation are imperative for reducing poverty-driven unsafe transactional sex.
OBJECTIVES: To assess HIV knowledge, attitudes, sexual practices and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery in border areas of Tanzania, with a view to support the prioritisation of SRH interventions in border areas. METHODS: The target sample comprised randomly selected people living near the border, aged 15 to 49 years. To gather information, we utilised: (i) a standardised questionnaire (n = 86; 42 men and 44 women) previously used in national household surveys conducted by the Tanzanian government; (ii) focus group discussions (ten male groups, n = 47; ten female groups, n = 51); and (iii) semi-structured interviews with service providers (n = 37). RESULTS: The mean number of sexual partners, frequency of multiple concurrent partnerships and engagement in transactional sex were significantly higher in the border community than in the national population. Knowledge about HIV was comparable with that in the general population. Access to SRH services was limited in the border areas. CONCLUSION: Efforts to reduce HIV transmission and to improve SRH in the border areas should focus on gaps in service delivery rather than education and information activities alone. In addition, multi-sectorial efforts spanning the health, social, legal and private sectors addressing gender imbalances and poverty alleviation are imperative for reducing poverty-driven unsafe transactional sex.
Entities:
Keywords:
HIV; Migration; Reproductive health; Tanzania
Authors: Canh Dinh Hoang; Bach Xuan Tran; Manh Duc Pham; Long Hoang Nguyen; Ha Ngoc Do; Quan Hoang Vuong; Manh Tung Ho; Van Nhue Dam; Thu Trang Vuong; Hai Hong Nguyen; Vu Nguyen; Hai Quang Pham; Giang Hai Ha; Carl A Latkin; Cyrus S H Ho; Roger C M Ho Journal: Harm Reduct J Date: 2019-02-07
Authors: Paul Bukuluki; Peter Kisaakye; Francis Mulekya; John Mushomi; Chrispus Mayora; George Palattiyil; Dina Sidhva; Harish Nair Journal: J Glob Health Date: 2022-08-17 Impact factor: 7.664