AIDS-related knowledge and behaviors in Mozambique

Background: The objective of this study was to describe attitudes and knowledge about AIDS among the population aged 15 to 49 in Chokwe (Mozambique) during the period from March to May 2004, and to study associated factors. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted by interviewing 1055 people aged 15 to 49, of both sexes, residents in Chokwe (68,698 inhabitants). The questionnaires employed are known as the Behavior Surveillance Survey. Dependent variables were: knowledge about transmission routes and preventive methods, use of condoms and having had sexual relations with an irregular partner during the past 12 months. Odds ratios were calculated for the association between these variables and age, sex, educational level, neighborhood of residence, number of relations in the last 30 days, and whether AIDS tested, by fitting Logistic Regression models (bivariate and multivariate). Results: Over 99% of the sexually active population of Chokwe knew about AIDS and condoms. More than half of the population of Chokwe has a good knowledge of preventive methods and of transmission routes. 72.9% of men and 91.3% of women did not use the condom when having sexual relationships. It was observed that a low educational level implied a lower degree of knowledge about preventive methods (OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.60-3.84) and about transmission routes (OR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.37-4.52), less condom use and less relations with irregular or sporadic partners. The probability of not using condoms was higher among females, among people living in less privileged districts, with no education (OR = 3.79; 95% CI: 1.80-7.99), with regular partners (OR = 4.36; 95% CI: 1.93-9.84) and among people who have not had an AIDS test. Conclusion: Knowledge of preventive methods and transmission routes is good in more than half of the population of Chokwe The majority of men and women do not use the condom when having sexual intercourse. Moreover, inequalities may be observed as a function of educational level and district socioeconomic level. Knowledge of preventive practices, mainly among socio-economically disadvantaged groups, must be improved and strategies designed to broaden access to use of condoms by everyone should be implemented.