Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Associated Factors among Specific Population Subgroups in Cameroon

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with HIV infection among specific population subgroups and complement the HIV surveillance system in Cameroon. Five subgroups (truck drivers, female-sex-workers, university students, health service providers, and residents along Chad-Cameroon petroleum pipeline) were targeted in 2004. Potential participants were approached at their geographically diverse areas and consented to participate in the study. Anonymous blood samples were collected. 4,011 participants were surveyed (35% students, 25% sex-workers, 20% pipeline residents, 12.5% health service providers, 7.5% truck drivers). HIV prevalence was highest among sex-workers [26.4%, (95% CI, 23.6-29.2)], pipeline residents [19.9% (95% CI, 17.1-22.7)] and truck drivers [16.3% (95% CI, 12.3-20.9)] and lowest among health service providers [5.2% (95% CI, 3.4-7.5)] and university students [3.8% (95% CI, 2.9-5.0)]. Risky sexual behaviours were practiced in all subpopulations. Multivariable analysis shows in female-sex-workers that; older age, residing in the grassland region (Northwest and West Provinces) and inconstant condom use were significantly associated with HIV infection. Despite a moderate HIV prevalence in the general Cameroonian population, some subgroups are at much higher risk for HIV transmission and practicing risky sexual behaviours. There is need for expanded prevention and care programs with emphasis on truck drivers, sex-workers and pipeline residents.

Gender-based violence against female sex workers in Cameroon: prevalence and associations with sexual HIV risk and access to health services and justice

“…Temporal ordering of violence and outcomes in our cross-sectional study is unclear, though violence is linked with incident HIV infection in other populations of women 33. Self-reported HIV infection prevalence was strikingly low relative to estimates for FSWs in Cameroon15 and elsewhere in the region1 derived using biological testing. We lacked data on some sexual risk behaviours, most notably anal intercourse.…”

“…These dynamics are highly relevant in Cameroon, where the HIV prevalence is estimated at 26% among FSWs,15 relative to the 4.5% estimated among reproductive age adults for 2013 16. As in much of West and Central Africa outside of Senegal, sex work is criminalised in Cameroon and punishable by imprisonment or monetary fine.…”

High prevalence of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions in women on antiretroviral therapy in Cameroon: Is targeted screening feasible?

“…Though we sampled in three different clinics, the sample may not have been exactly representative of all HIV-positive women in Cameroon as the clinics were conveniently selected and not randomly chosen. We do not however expect the difference to be substantial as the clinics sampled offer care to a very high number of patients in regions with the highest HIV-prevalences and our participant characteristics were similar to those reported nationwide[19]. Potential errors due to the Pap smear’s low sensitivity could actually mean that our prevalence is an underestimate.…”

A Public Health Model and Framework to Mitigate the Impact of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Due to HIV/AIDS in Cameroon

“…In some of these groups, the HIV prevalence has been as high as 40% -50%. In one HIV study in specific subpopulations of Cameroon [20], a prevalence of 26.4%, 19.9% and 16.3% was respectively observed in female commercial sex workers, residents along the Chad-Cameroon petroleum pipeline and long distance truck drivers. In the same analysis, lower prevalence was recorded in health care personnel (5.2%) and university students (3.8%).…”