Given the established link between alcohol consumption and risk taking behavior, it is plausible that neighborhoods with higher density of drinking establishments will be associated with increased prevalence of HIV. We conducted an ecological study comparing neighborhoods in Luderitz. Namibia, to evaluate this relationship. We observed increased prevalence of HIV comparing high densities of registered and unregistered shebeens, bars, and total number of drinking establishments, as compared with low densities, were associated with increased prevalence of HIV (PR = 3.02, 95% CI: 2.04-4.47; PR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.42-2.07; PR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.19-2.02). Our observation of increased prevalence associated with higher densities of drinking establishment's merits consideration. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Namibia Alcohol use Drinking places HIV prevention

Alcohol Drinking sexual behavior Human immunodeficiency virus infection drinking behavior human sexuality middle aged statistics Sexual Partners comparative study Logistic Models Namibia HIV Seropositivity catering service Young Adult Humans male Restaurants female risk factor Risk Factors prevalence Article high risk behavior disease transmission Risk-Taking adult migration statistical model Transients and Migrants social class