2024-03-29T10:10:47Zhttps://escholarship.org/oaioai:escholarship.org:ark:/13030/qt4696559c2023-09-23T18:10:00Zqt4696559cA Population-Based Study on Alcohol and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors in BotswanaWeiser, Sheri DLeiter, KarenHeisler, MicheleMcFarland, WilliKorte, Fiona Percy-deDeMonner, Sonya MTlou, SheilaPhaladze, NthabisengIacopino, VincentBangsberg, David RFarrell, Michael2006-10-01BackgroundIn Botswana, an estimated 24% of adults ages 15-49 years are infected with HIV. While alcohol use is strongly associated with HIV infection in Africa, few population-based studies have characterized the association of alcohol use with specific high-risk sexual behaviors.Methods and findingsWe conducted a cross-sectional, population-based study of 1,268 adults from five districts in Botswana using a stratified two-stage probability sample design. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess correlates of heavy alcohol consumption (>14 drinks/week for women, and >21 drinks/week for men) as a dependent variable. We also assessed gender-specific associations between alcohol use as a primary independent variable (categorized as none, moderate, problem and heavy drinking) and several risky sex outcomes including: (a) having unprotected sex with a nonmonogamous partner; (b) having multiple sexual partners; and (c) paying for or selling sex in exchange for money or other resources. Criteria for heavy drinking were met by 31% of men and 17% of women. Adjusted correlates of heavy alcohol use included male gender, intergenerational relationships (age gap > or =10 y), higher education, and living with a sexual partner. Among men, heavy alcohol use was associated with higher odds of all risky sex outcomes examined, including unprotected sex (AOR = 3.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65 to 7.32), multiple partners (AOR = 3.08; 95% CI, 1.95 to 4.87), and paying for sex (AOR = 3.65; 95% CI, 2.58 to 12.37). Similarly, among women, heavy alcohol consumption was associated with higher odds of unprotected sex (AOR = 3.28; 95% CI, 1.71 to 6.28), multiple partners (AOR = 3.05; 95% CI, 1.83 to 5.07), and selling sex (AOR = 8.50; 95% CI, 3.41 to 21.18). A dose-response relationship was seen between alcohol use and risky sexual behaviors, with moderate drinkers at lower risk than both problem and heavy drinkers.ConclusionsAlcohol use is associated with multiple risks for HIV transmission among both men and women. The findings of this study underscore the need to integrate alcohol abuse and HIV prevention efforts in Botswana and elsewhere.Biomedical and Clinical SciencesPublic HealthHealth SciencesAlcoholismAlcohol Use and HealthPreventionClinical ResearchPediatricBehavioral and Social ScienceSubstance MisuseHIV/AIDSSexually Transmitted Infections3.1 Primary prevention interventions to modify behaviours or promote wellbeing2.3 Psychologicalsocial and economic factorsAetiologyPrevention of disease and conditionsand promotion of well-beingInfectionCancerReproductive health and childbirthGood Health and Well BeingAdultAlcohol DrinkingBotswanaCross-Sectional StudiesEducational StatusFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansIntergenerational RelationsMalePopulation SurveillancePrevalenceRisk FactorsRisk-TakingSex DistributionSex FactorsSex WorkSexual BehaviorSexual PartnersUnsafe SexMedical and Health SciencesGeneral & Internal MedicineBiomedical and clinical sciencesHealth sciencesapplication/pdfpubliceScholarship, University of Californiahttps://escholarship.org/uc/item/4696559carticlePLOS Medicine, vol 3, iss 10e392