HIV Prevalence and Risk Behaviors Among Mozambicans Working in South African Mines

Abstract

Mineworkers are considered a population at risk for HIV due to risk behaviors associated with migratory work patterns. This was the first study in Mozambique to determine the prevalence of HIV and associated demographic and risk behaviors, and assess use and access to prevention and healthcare services among Mozambicans working in South African mines. Men who had worked in a South African mine in the past 12 months were recruited between February and May 2012 using time location sampling (TLS) at the Ressano Garcia border between Mozambique and South Africa. Demographic and behavioral data were collected through a standardized questionnaire, and HIV prevalence was estimated by testing dried blood spots (DBS) with two enzyme immunoassays. In total, 432 eligible mine workers were recruited. Mean age was 43 years. Most were married or cohabitating; among them, 12.6 % had two or more wives/marital partners in Mozambique. In the 12 months preceding the survey, 24.7 % had an occasional sexual partner, and 6.6 % had at least one partner who was a female sex worker. Only one in five (18.5 %) used a condom during last sex. HIV prevalence among mineworkers was 22.3 %, and 74.6 % of those who tested positive as part of the survey did not know their status. HIV prevalence was significantly higher (p = 0.018) among those that were uncircumcised (31.2 %) than those who were circumcised (18.5 %). Multiple partners (multiple spouses, cross-border relations, and multiple occasional partnerships), inconsistent condom use, and a high proportion of infected mineworkers who do not know their HIV status increases the risk of HIV transmission in this population. Combination strategies involving the promotion of condom use, HIV testing, and male circumcision should be strengthened among mineworkers.

HIV Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Male Foreign Migrants in Cape Town, South Africa

“…Studies have documented the increased risk for HIV and STIs among male internal migrants in South Africa [15–17]. Further, a recent study of a specific subgroup of transnational migrant men (Mozambican workers in South Africa mines), documented an HIV prevalence of 22.3 % [18]. However, to date there is no empirical evidence that systematically documents HIV prevalence or associated risk behaviors among a broad population of transnational migrant men living in South Africa.…”

Knowledge, attitude and practices of male condom use among male employees, 50 years and older, at a diamond mining company in southern Namibia

“…In addition, a study at South African mines revealed a lower percentage (18.5%) of condom use during last sexual intercourse. This is despite the high prevalence rate of HIV, large numbers of mine workers not knowing their HIV status, uncircumcised men, and multiple sex partners (Baltazar et al 2015). With regard to the reasons why respondents in this study were likely to use a condom, most (77.1%) gave 'to prevent HIV', and (10.5%) 'to prevent pregnancy' as the reasons.…”

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of HIV-I Subtype B and Circulating Recombinant Form 01_AE Clades in Iran: A Phylogeographic Approach

“…Between-country trading and long-distance truck drivers might have played a role in the transmission of the virus between Iran and Germany. The engagement of long-distance truck drivers in high-risk behaviors like unprotected sex with multiple partners and drug use has been reported in several studies (47)(48)(49). It is also possible that the introduction of subtype B from Germany and Southern China occurred "indirectly" through other countries.…”