Biomedical, Behavioral, and Socio-Structural Risk Factors on HIV Infection and Regional Differences in Tanzania

Suzumi Yasutake, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
David Celentano, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Caitlin E. Kennedy, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Deanna Kerrigan, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Heena Brahmbhatt, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

This research has two aims. One is to explore the influence of STI, male circumcision, age of the first sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners, HIV knowledge, and household wealth on HIV infection in Tanzania. The other is to explore Tanzanian regional differences in HIV prevalence. Understanding risk factors and regional differences on HIV prevalence will help create more effective HIV prevention packages. We used the 2007–2008 Tanzania HIV/AIDS and Malaria Indicator Survey and conducted logistic regressions and random-effects models for men and women, separately. We found that male circumcision decreases HIV infection; and STI, early sexual debut, and highest wealth — but not multiple partner or HIV knowledge — increases HIV infection. Regional differences account for 15% of variance for women and 12% for men. As a follow-up, we plan to add regional-level variables to conduct multilevel analyses to further explore the risk factors and regional differences in HIV infection.