INTAKE OF A COHORT STUDY OF URBAN FACTORY-WORKERS IN NORTHWEST TANZANIA

A cohort study has been started of urban factory workers and their spo uses in Tanzania, in order to 1) identify risk factors for HIV-1 seroc onversion, and 2) document changes over time in risk behaviour, in par ticular condom use and partner change, and determine whether these are associated with a reduced incidence of HIV-1 and other sexually trans mitted diseases. We report findings at intake from October 1991 to Mar ch 1992, Study participants were interviewed, examined, and screened f or HIV-1 and syphilis, HIV-1 prevalence was 91/926 (10%) in males and 36/217 (17%) in females, Statistically significant risk factors for HI V-1 infection in males were age group, region of birth, not being marr ied for more than 5 years, being uncircumcised, having had a genital u lcer in. the past four months, and having received injections from med ical staff in the past four months. HIV-1 incidence in this group is e xpected to be between 1% and 2% per year. It is concluded that a longi tudinal study is needed to assess the importance of partner change, Th is cohort appears to be suitable for such a study as HIV-1 incidence i s expected to be fairly high, HIV-1 prevalence and risk factors are co mparable to those of the general population and cooperation of the fac tory workers is good.