International Journal of STD & AIDS > Volume 20, Number 1 > Pp. 19-23

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Original research articles

Exploratory study of blood exposures that are risks for HIV among Luo and Kisii ethnic groups in Nyanza province, Kenya

T Ounga MSc ^* , M Okinyi BA , S Onyuro LL.M PG Dip , M Correa PhD  and D Gisselquist PhD ^**

^* Tropical Focus for Rural Development, 660 PO Box 6443 (code 40103), Kismu; Safe Healthcare Africa, Nairobi; Independent Consultant, Kisumu, Kenya; Independent Consultant, Goa, India; ^** Independent Consultant, Pennsylvania, USA

Correspondence to: Tobias Ounga c/o PO Box 6443 (code 40103), Kisumu, Kenya Email: tobiasounga{at}yahoo.com

Adult HIV prevalence exceeds 5% among all Kenyans, and 20% among the Luo ethnic group. Recent studies have associated HIV infections in Kenya with several invasive health care and cosmetic procedures. To explore the various blood exposures that could contribute to HIV infections in Kenya, we surveyed 320 adolescents and adults aged 15–29 years from the Luo and Kisii ethnic groups. Survey participants reported a wide range of invasive procedures in health care (including circumcisions, dental care, blood tests, and 1–60 injections or infusions for specific health problems), in cosmetic services (including tattooing and piercing) and around the home (through shaving body hair, fights, sports and other activities). Luo were significantly more likely than Kisii to report some risks (e.g. tattooing by a traditional expert, piercing), but less likely to report others (e.g. blood tests for malaria, anaesthetic injections during circumcision).

Key Words: HIV • Kenya • Africa • epidemiology • equipment

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