Assessment of risky sexual behavior for HIV infection with special focus on night market and mobile people in Gummer Woreda, Gurage zone

Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has become the current major public health problem in the developed and developing countries. The epidemic is one of the greatest challenges ever to Global well-being. This study was designed and conducted with the aim of assessing risky sexual behavior for HIV infection spreading with special focus on the night markets and mobile people. A multistage, cross-sectional survey and qualitative study was carried out between November 2003 and January 2004 in Gummer woreda, Gurage zone. A total of 838 respondents participated in the survey part and in the qualitative four FGDs of different key informants and 14 individual in-depth interviewees were enrolled and participated in this study. The result showed that 43 (19.2%) of males and 5 (1.8%) of females ever had extramarital sex .Females were being protective with [OR= 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.23]. Among the age group of 15-54years, 36 (18.2%) of 35-54 years and 25 (12.0%) of age 15-34 years had engaged in risky sexual behaviors in relationship to night markets. Regarding marital status, 50(10.0%) of married and 11 (3.3%) of not currently married had engaged in risky sexual in relationship to night markets. Among the married respondents, 26 (10. 8%) of males and one female had their first sexual contact with non-regular partners. Regarding occupation, 17 (6.6%) of farmers and 44 (7.6%) of others occupation (students, wives, traders and jobless) had engaged in risky sexual behaviors in relationship to night markets. Other occupation had 2.5 times more engaged in risky sexual behaviors than farmers with [OR= 2.5, 95%CI: 1.07, 5.90]. Among the respondents only 27 (3.2%) had reported frequently use of condom in the last six months during viii premarital and extramarital sex. Almost all, 826 (98.6%) have heard about HIV/AIDS. Eight hundred and twenty six (98.4%) reported that HIV/AIDS is transmitted by unprotected sex. Most of the FGDs discussants and individual in-depth interviewees said that nowadays night markets have become a source for HIV/AIDS transmission in the area. Most of the respondents did not think that they were at risk of acquiring HIV infection while they were at risk in relation ship to night markets and mobility. It needs urgent measure interms of HIV prevention and control in the study area.