EFFECT OF RISKY SEX BEHAVIOURS ON HIV PREVALENCE AMONG WOMEN ACCESSING CARE AND TREATMENT IN LEVEL FIVE HOSPITAL COMPREHENSIVE CARE CLINIC IN MURANG’A COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

More than half of the people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) around the globe are women. The HIV prevalence among women in Kenya is at 6.6%, twice that of men. Prevalence of HIV infection in Murang'a County is significantly higher among women compared to men, with women having a threefold higher likelihood of being infected (7.8% vs. 2.4%). It is still not known what causes such a high rate of inci-dence among adult women, particularly in Murang’a County. Numerous studies have been conducted to inves-tigate the incidence of HIV among female populations in different geographical areas, yielding diverse out-comes. The variation in the findings suggests a uniqueness of each population. Consequently, the current study examined the effect of risky sex behaviours on HIV prevalence among women accessing care and treatment in level five hospital comprehensive care clinic in Murang’a County, Kenya. The study respondents were women accessing HIV care in Murang'a County level 5 hospital. A total of 167 respondents were recruited for the study utilizing a systematic random selection procedure. The study finding indicated that risky sexual behav-iours such as multiple partners, alcohol or substance abuse increased the chances of HIV prevalence by 6.545 times. The study results are expected help to the County government of Murang'a, where HIV is particularly prevalent. The results will also help to accelerate the realization of Vision 2030 goals by illuminating the social determinants that contribute to HIV prevalence among women in Murang’a County.