Moore M, Hassig SE, Lusakulira N, Bertrand WE, Kashala TD; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1989 Jun 4-9; 5: 697 (abstract no. M.D.O.17).

Zaire School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Zaire

OBJECTIVE: To describe risky behavior, perceived risk and factors related to risk among Zairian health workers (HW). METHODS: We surveyed 3462 physicians, nurses, health facility workers, community HW and traditional healers. RESULTS: Extra-marital sexual relations (EMR) were reported by 54% in 1987 and 40% in 1988 (p less than 10(-6)). EMR were more commonly reported by males (p less than 10(-6)) and by younger personnel (p less than 10(-6)). Forty-six percent use condoms for their EMR, 51% of these regularly. Only 60% who would counsel the use of condoms for AIDS actually use them for their own EMR. Nearly half of HWs (43%) view their own risk for AIDS as very high or high, in particular those who are: nurses (p less than 10(-6)); in an urban environment (p=.00037); younger (p=.0002); less educated (p less than 10(-6)); female (p=.0203); from Shaba or Equateur Region (p less than 10(-6)); had attended a course on AIDS (p=.00087). CONCLUSIONS: (1) HWs in Zaire engage in risky sexual behavior, though behavior may be changing because of AIDS. (2) Nearly half of HWs view themselves at high risk for AIDS. (3) AIDS courses may prove useful in further educating HWs, who can in turn educate the general public.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Behavior
• Condoms
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Female
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Humans
• Male
• Risk-Taking
• Sexual Behavior
• methods

Other ID:

• 00365089

UI: 102179552

From Meeting Abstracts