Alcohol use and risky sexual behaviors among local drink sellers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: AIDS continues to be a major global health priority. The number of people living with HIV is still growing worldwide reaching an estimated 36.7 million at the end of 2015. Slightly more than half are women. Hazardous alcohol use is often assumed mainly to affect men, but women are harmed in large numbers by alcohol use: either their own or that of their partner. Women who sell alcohol are at increased risk of drinking alcohol themselves, engaging in unprotected sex with their clients which could lead to HIV infection.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of alcohol use and its association with risky sexual behaviors among local drink sellers in Addis Ketema sub-city, Addis Ababa.

Method: A cross sectional study was conducted among 698 women engaged in selling local alcohol drinks. The sample size was calculated using single population proportion formula and multistage cluster sampling technique was used. The data were collected through standardized questionnaire by trained data collectors. Respondents were assessed by socio demographic variables, type, amount and frequency of alcohol use and also risky sexual behaviors and bivariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to assess the association between these variables.

Results: The prevalence of alcohol use among local drink sellers was found to be 33.3%. Seventy two (41%) of the respondents drank alcohol on a daily basis. Five hundred sixty six (82.4%) of the respondents had initiated sexual intercourse, out of which 85(15%) had sex with non regular partner and 29.7% didn’t use condom the last time they had sex with non regular partner. Having 3 or more drinks at one time was associated with having had sex with non regular partner. Condom use at last sex was higher among those who had primary and above level of education and among those who were never married.

Conclusions: HIV prevention programs for local drink sellers should recognize that alcohol use may be an important indicator of risk for HIV infection and AIDS through its association with risky sexual behaviors.