Mpoudi Ngole E, Laurent C, Bourgeois A, Mpoudi M, Butel C, Delaporte E, Peeters M; IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment (2nd : 2003 : Paris, France).

Antivir Ther. 2003; 8 (Suppl.1): abstract no. 1210.

Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement/University of Montpellier, France

BACKGROUND: The environmental modifications related to commercial logging in Equatorial Africa represents a potential risk for HIV dissemination. OBJECTIVE: To describe the HIV seroprevalence, HIV genetic variants and risk factors associated with HIV infection in order to assess the impact of environmental modifications in rural Equatorial Africa. METHODS: A cross-sectional community-based survey was performed in September 2001 in five remote villages located around a commercial logging camp in southern Cameroon. Adults were interviewed during door-to-door visits and blood samples were collected. Risk factors were assessed in multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 484 individuals were surveyed of whom 256 women (52.9%). The median age was 34 years (IQR, 23-52). The overall HIV seroprevalence in the five villages was 7.4% (CI, 5.2-10.1). The HIV prevalence was higher in the three villages that were the closest to the logging camp, 10.9% versus 5.8% in the remaining two villages. Women were at increased risk as compared to men (11.1 vs 3.1%; P<0.001). In women, HIV seroprevalence ranged from 4.9% in those aged 50 years or older to 22.5% in the 25-34 year age group (P=0.049). In men, it was lower whatever the age group, ranging from 1.4% in the 15-24 year age group to 6.0% in the 25-34 year age group (P=0.7). All 35 seropositives were infected with HIV-1 and not HIV-2. Twenty-seven of the 35 seropositive samples could be amplified and were genetically characterized in env+gag (n=25), gag only (n=1) and env only (n=1). Similarly, as previously documented in cities from Cameroon, CRF02_AG predominated (70-73%), and other variants co-circulated. Unmarried, educated and STI-experienced women were at particular risk. In contrast, no risk factor was found in men. CONCLUSION: The vulnerability of women to HIV infection in this setting, especially young women, could be related to commercial logging and its surrounding social and economic networks.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• AIDS Vaccines
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Adult
• Africa
• Cameroon
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• HIV
• HIV Antibodies
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• HIV Seroprevalence
• HIV-1
• HIV-2
• Humans
• Male
• Prevalence
• Residence Characteristics
• Risk Factors
• Rural Population

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0023858

UI: 102263482

From Meeting Abstracts