The relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of HIV in married men in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Objective: A key factor for incidence of HIV is alcohol consumption. It impacts judgment and the probability to overlook risk-relevant information, which creates a pathway to reduced adherence to biomedical prevention and engagement in condomless sex. We strengthen the understanding of the link between alcohol consumption and risk of HIV among married men in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), as we use comprehensive population-level data to provide robust evidence with high external validity.

Design: Cross-sectional data analysis.

Methods: Based on data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) from 20 countries and over 30 000 observations, a minimally and a fully adjusted model with country fixed effects examined the relationship between the men's alcohol consumption (observed by wife) and HIV status (blood test) while accounting for survey weights and controlling for potential confounders.

Results: The data comprised a total of 35 108 men. Minimally adjusted [risk ratio (RR) 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-1.37; P < 0.001] and fully adjusted (RR 1.26; 95% CI 1.15-1.38; P < 0.001) models showed a positive association between the men's alcohol consumption and HIV status. Two sensitivity analyses confirmed the association.

Conclusion: In line with previous experimental studies and theoretical framework, this study confirms a risk relationship between alcohol consumption and HIV. Thus, modern HIV/AIDS programs must continue to address the relationship in implementation of prevention and treatment programs.