Alcohol use and HIV risk sexual behaviours among counseling and testing clients in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Alcohol use is an important factor for high risk sexual behaviours thereby enhancing HIV transmission and acquisition.
Objectives: This study sought to find out the pattern of alcohol use and risky sexual behaviours among HIV counseling and testing clients.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information from consenting consecutive HIV counseling and testing (HCT) clients.
Results: A total of 358 HCT clients comprising 301 (84.1%) males and 57 (15.9%) females were interviewed. HIV prevalence among the respondents was 19 %( n=68). Overall, most of the respondents 83.2% (n=298) used alcohol. Majority of the respondents 148(90.2%) who had multiple sex partners used alcohol p=0.00. Alcohol use was prevalent 157(76.6%) among the respondents who didn't use condom for sexual acts p=0.00.
Conclusion: Alcohol use was prevalent and significantly associated with HIV risk sexual behaviours among studied HCT clients.

Keywords: HIV infection, alcohol consumption, prevention, Nigeria