Table 1.
Comparison of HIV risk factors for 691 pregnant women (mean age 24.2 years) in Zimbabwe and 2654 pregnant women (mean age 24.6 years) in Tanzania
| Variable | Harare, Zimbabwe | Moshi, Tanzania | p value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n/N | % | n/N | % | ||
| HIV-positive status | 177/691 | 25.6 | 184/2654 | 6.9 | < 0.001 |
| Socio-demographic characteristics and risky sexual behaviour | |||||
| Casual sex partner in last 12 months | 19/685 | 2.8 | 177/2654 | 4.4 | 0.054 |
| More than one lifetime sexual partner | 189/685 | 27.6 | 1164/2654 | 43.9 | < 0.001 |
| Sexual debut before 16 years | 67/685 | 9.8 | 366/2654 | 13.8 | 0.005 |
| Never used condoms | 374/676 | 55.3 | 2004/2654 | 75.5 | < 0.001 |
| Use herbs to tighten vagina | 96/685 | 14.0 | 97/1330 | 7.3 | < 0.001 |
| Siblings have different fathers | 99/653 | 15.2 | 1437/2654 | 54.1 | < 0.001 |
| Polygamous relationship | 54/674 | 8.0 | 296/2654 | 11.2 | 0.018 |
| Drinks alcohol | 21/677 | 3.1 | 821/2654 | 30.9 | < 0.001 |
| Travels outside residential area frequently | 53/690 | 7.7 | 36/2413 | 1.5 | < 0.001 |
| Other infections, signs and symptoms | |||||
| HSV-2 positive | 323/632 | 51.1 | 427/1271 | 33.6 | < 0.001 |
| Syphilis positive | 8/662 | 1.2 | 23/2654 | 0.9 | 0.638 |
| Trichomoniasis positive | 80/680 | 11.8 | 127/2555 | 5.0 | < 0.001 |
| Bacterial vaginosis positive | 195/598 | 32.6 | 533/2555 | 20.9 | < 0.001 |
| History of schistosomiasis | 120/679 | 17.7 | 56/1332 | 4.2 | < 0.001 |
| Currently have genital warts | 44/601 | 7.3 | 33/2599 | 1.3 | < 0.001 |
| Currently have genital ulcers | 16/594 | 2.7 | 41/2555 | 1.6 | 0.073 |
| Had genital warts in the last 12 months | 33/686 | 4.8 | 48/2654 | 1.8 | < 0.001 |
| Had genital ulcer in the last 12 months | 44/687 | 6.4 | 85/2654 | 3.2 | < 0.001 |
| Partner characteristics | |||||
| Current partner not circumcised | 606/657 | 92.2 | 52/2413 | 2.1 | < 0.001 |
| Current partner travels frequently | 268/659 | 40.7 | 619/2413 | 25.6 | < 0.001 |
n: number HIV positive; N: number tested