Psychosocial and Behavioural Correlates of HIV Risk Perception among Workers of Mukete Estates Limited, Meme Division, Southwest Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Background: The commercial agricultural sector of Cameroon is facing severe social and economic crisis due to the impact of HIV/AIDS. In spite of this situation, agricultural workers do not perceive HIV as a threat. Therefore, we conducted this study aimed at investigating the psychosocial and behavioural correlates of HIV risk perception among workers of Mukete Estates Limited (MEL), in the Southwest region of Cameroon.  Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2015 among 208 estate workers selected using a cluster sampling technique. A questionnaire was administered to ascertain socio-demographic characteristics, bahavioural and psychosocial characteristics, and perception of risk of contracting HIV using the Health Belief Model (HBM). Binomial logistic regression was computed to ascertain the correlates of risk perception using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software program at the level 0.05. Results: Up to 94.2% perceived that HIV/AIDS really exists and 66.7% perceived that a healthy looking person can be HIV positive (perceived susceptibility); 84.6% perceived that HIV/AIDS is a serious and deadly disease (perceived severity); 65.8% perceived that correct and consistent use of the condom can prevent sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS (perceived benefit); 74.1% perceived that they feel embarrassed to buy condoms (perceived barriers); 69.2% perceived that they could refuse sex with their partners if they refuse to use condoms (perceived self-efficacy); 96.1% reported having experienced sex, and of these, 49.0% reported having had multiple sequential sexual partners in the past one year, and 31.5% reported having multiple concurrent sexual partners during the period of this study. Those who had ever used the condom represented 65.0%, among them 23% used it always.  Were at  higher odds of perceiving themselves at risk of contracting HIV: Muslims [ OR=2.844 (95% CI 1.213-6.666], workers who perceived that HIV/AIDS really exist [OR=3.789 (95% CI 1.352-10.619)], workers who perceived that a healthy looking person can be HIV positive [OR=4.100 (95% CI 1.200-14.005)], workers who perceived that they have the confidence they could refuse sex with their partners if they refused to use condoms [OR=5.273 (95% CI 1.475-18.855)]. On the other hand, workers who perceived that they feel embarrassed to buy condoms were at lower odds of risk perception of contracting HIV/AIDS: [OR=0.296 (95% CI 0.112-0.780)]. Conclusion: Three components of the HBM with high significance (perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers and perceived self-efficacy), and religion should be considered in designing policies and intervention programmes geared towards increasing HIV risk perception among workers of MEL, Cameroon.