Disability and HIV: Vulnerability of People With Disabilities to HIV Infection in Sub-Saharan Africa

OBJECTIVES: The general objective of this study is to provide information on the vulnerability of PWD to HIV infection. The objectives of the quantitative component of this study are: Estimation of the HIV burden among PWD: * To estimate the prevalence of HIV in PWD comprehensively and for each of the following disabilities 1) hearing 2) visual 3) mobility 4) cognitive (intellectual) * To compare the HIV prevalence between PWD and non-disabled matched controls * To assess the association between PWD's social network characteristics and the risk for HIV Assessment of the knowledge, behaviour and practice toward HIV infection and sexual and reproductive health (including contraception) overall and for each of the impairment groups mentioned above: * To describe and analyze the knowledge, attitude and behaviours related to HIV infection * To compare the knowledge, attitude and behaviours between PWD and non-disabled matched controls * To describe sexual and reproductive activities of PWD * To describe and analyze the access and actual use of family planning methods in PWD Access to HIV prevention and health careglobally and for each of the impairment groups mentioned above: * To describe and analyze the determinants of and barriers to access to prevention and testing services * To describe and analyze the determinants of and barriers to access to care * To compare the access to services between PWD and non-disabled matched controls Specific objectives related to disability: * To describe the population of PWD in Yaoundé * To describe and analyze the characteristics of the social networks of PWD METHODOLOGY Study design: This is a cross sectionnal study assessing HIV prevalence, HIV risk factors and sexual \& reproductive health of PWD compared to a control group of Non-Disabled People. PWD are sampled from the general population using a two-step sampling method. Eligible subjects are proposed an HIV test and to respond to a questionnaire on their Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) in relation to HIV and SRH, on their social network and on their access to prevention and care services. The life-grid interview method is used to collect data on subject's history of social participation, employment, resources, sexual partnership and reproductive life. Controls are selected from the PWD's neighborhood. Sample size: 850 disabled subjects and 850 non-disabled controls Study location: Yaounde, Cameroon Estimated planning or Study timetable : Study start date: April 2014 (exploratory work) Total trial/study duration: 24 months