Case-Control Study on the Vulnerability of Women to HIV, Kaolack, 2019

Introduction: Despite a low prevalence that hides disparities between regions and genders, HIV infection in Senegal is progressing. Women are more vulnerable. The objective was to study the determinants of women’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS infection. Methodology: This was a case-control study carried out at the Kasnack Health Center, Kaolack in 2019. And 80 HIV-positive cases and 240 HIV-negative controls participated in the study. A questionnaire was administered to the selected women after their consent. Data were entered and analyzed using Epi Info and Stata software. Results: the mean age of the cases was 32 ± 9.7 years and that of the controls was 29.5 ± 8.5 years. Women were often housewives or traders; half of them had no schooling. Care was accessible for 74.4% of women. The level of knowledge of means of HIV prevention was medium in 71.3% of cases and 0.8% of controls. That of the modes of transmission was medium in 47.5% of cases and 0.8% of controls. The majority of controls (99.2%) had a low level of knowledge of means of prevention and modes of HIV transmission. Risky practices were 40% and 7.9% among cases and controls, respectively, and vulnerability was 40% and 7.9%, respectively. Conclusion: The level of HIV knowledge is low among most women. It is better in HIV-positive women who are more exposed to risky practices that increase their vulnerability. Reducing this vulnerability requires improving their knowledge and their empowerment.