%0 Journal Article
%T Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Syphilis Prevalence and Risk Factors among Migrant Workers in Konongo, Ghana
%A Andrew A. Adjei
%A James Brandful
%A Mark Lurie
%A Margaret Lartey
%A Francis Krampa
%A Awewura Kwara
%A Theophilus K. Adiku
%A Yao Tettey
%A Richard K. Gyasi
%A Aaron L. Lawson
%A Timothy Flanigan
%J Advances in Infectious Diseases
%P 132-141
%@ 2164-2656
%D 2014
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/aid.2014.43020
%X Migrant workers, particularly
gold mining workers, have been identified as a group at risk for HIV and sexually
transmitted infections (STI). A cross-sectional study was undertaken on the correlates
of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis infections in a sample of migrants
(Ghanaian citizens [156] and non-Ghanaian citizens [8]) working in a gold mining
centres in Konongo, Ghana. The study was conducted between the months of January
2013 to December 2013. Of a total of 600 eligible migrant workers, only 164 (27.33%;
males 114, females 50) of the eligible migrants took part in the study. Subjects
voluntarily completed a risk-factor questionnaire and provided blood specimen for
testing for the presence of antibodies to HIV and </span><i><span style=\"line-height:2;font-size:12px;font-family:Verdana;\">Treponema pallidum</span></i><span style=\"line-height:2;font-size:12px;font-family:Verdana;\">, the causative agent of syphilis. These data were
analyzed using both univariate and multivariate techniques. The median age of the
participants was 29.0 years (range 18 - 62 years). Of the 164 migrant workers tested,
HIV and syphilis seroprevalence were 6.7% and 3.7% respectively. On multivariate
analysis, the independent determinants for HIV infection were being female [odds
ratio (OR) 2.94; 95% confidence interval (95% CI 0.86 - 10.0); unmarried (OR 10.13;
95% CI 1.2 - 81.09); drug use (OR 3.76; 95% CI 0.38 - 36.3); and blood transfusion
(OR 2.45; 95% CI 0.27 - 22.37). Similarly, on multivariate analysis, the independent
determinants for syphilis infection were having concurrent sexual partners (OR 2.16;
95% CI 0.38 - 12.12); and blood transfusion (OR 5.07; 95% CI 0.51 - 50.37). Consistent
with similar studies worldwide, our results suggest high prevalence of HIV and syphilis
infections among migrant workers who work in gold mining centres in Ghana.
%K HIV Seropositivity
%K Syphilis Seropositivity
%K Migrant Workers
%K Gold Mining Centres
%K Risk Factors
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=49488