HIV prevalence and associated factors in married women: analysis of the 2015 national health survey (IMASIDA)

BackgroundThe 2021 human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) global report indicated that women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa remained the most affected groups, accounting for 62% of new infections in the region. In 2021 in Mozambique, the HIV prevalence rate among the adult population was 12.5%, with a rate of 15.4% among women of reproductive age. Our study assessed HIV prevalence and associated factors among married women in Mozambique. MethodologyA cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out using secondary data extracted from the 2015 Immunization, Malaria and HIV/AIDS (IMASIDA) survey in Mozambique. Married women (civil marriage and common law marriage) of reproductive age (15-49 years) were included. We applied sample weights for data analysis. ResultsOut of the 3,006 married women included in the study, 20.1% fell within the 20-24 age group (n=603), and the average age was 30 years (SD=8.9 years). HIV prevalence was 6.9%. Factors significantly associated with HIV infection were age group 35-49 years (aOR=2.5; CI [1.3-4.6]; p=0.005) compared to age group 15-24 years, lack of formal education and primary education compared to higher education (aOR 7.7; CI [1.1-52.9], p=0.038 and aOR=9.8; CI [1.6-60.1]; p=0.014 respectively), having an uncircumcised partner (aOR=1.9; CI [1.2-3.1]; p=0.008), and having three or more lifetime sex partners compared to one sex partner (aOR=3.6; CI [2.9-7.3]; p< 0.001). Women who were in one lifelong union had a lower risk of HIV positivity compared to women who hadmore than one union (aOR=0.5; CI[0.3-0.8] p=0.005). ConclusionThe factors that contributed to a greater odds of HIV-positivity in this group of married Mozambican women were older age, low levels of education, having an uncircumcised partner and having more than one sexual partner throughout ones lifetime. In order to have maximum effect, HIV prevention and control campaigns in Mozambique should be tailored tothese "higher-risk" populations.