Evaluation of some factors involved in heterosexual transmission of Human Immunodeficiency amongst spouses seen at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH)

Abstract

Between February and October 1993 (inclusive) 120 HIV-infected persons (index cases) were enrolled into the study at the Kenyatta National Hospital to determine behaviours associated with acquisition of HIV-infection and the risk factors associated with transmission of the infection to their 123 spouses (sexual partners) . The male to female ratio in the index cases was 1.3:1 and for the sexual partners the ratio was 1:1.4. Of the 123 sexual partners 87 (70.7%) were HIV-positive and 36 (29.3%) were seronegative. None of the seronegative partners who had repeated testing seroconverted in the six months of follow up. Female index cases were younger [mean age 28.4 (80=6.9) years] than the males [mean 36.1 (80=8.2) years] (t-test; p<0.001). Of the 51male spouses 33 (64.7%) were HIV-Positive and of the 72 females 54 (75%) were HIV-Positive but the difference is however not significant (p > 0.05).