Abstract:
Background: Currently each day approximately 7,100 new infections and 4,900 deaths by
HIV/AIDS occur worldwide. Migrant mining workers are taken to be HIV vulnerable group in
different part of the world. In Ethiopia they were not thought as at risk group yet.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess HIV preventive behaviours and associated
factors among gold miners in Sali traditional gold mining site Bench Maji zone south west
Ethiopia from Jan 15, 2012 to Feb 15, 2012
Method: A cross sectional study triangulated with qualitative study was conducted. The health
belief model was used as conceptual framework to assess the behavior. The Standardized
Questionnaires which was adopted and developed from other behavioral research was used for
data collection. OpenCode version 3.6 was used for analysis of qualitative data. The quantitative
data was entered using EPI data version 3.1and analyzed using SPSS version 17. Descriptive
statistics, Bivariate analysis, multiple logistic regression was done. Reliability of the instrument
was also checked using Cronbach’s alpha.
Result: A total of 393 respondents with response rate of 93.12% were participated. Most of the
respondents 362(92.1%) were sexually active currently. Less than half of the respondents
187(47.6%) were engaged in HIV preventive behavior. Regarding the perception 215(54.7%) of
them have low perceived susceptibility to HIV /AIDS, 247(62.8%) of them has high perceived
severity, 223(56.7%) of them have high perceived benefit and 208(52.9%) of them have high
perceived barrier. HIV preventive behavior significantly associated with being in middle, higher
and highest income, Completing secondary and tertiary school and self efficacy.
Conclusion and Recommendation: The HIV preventive behavior of the mining worker was
low. Income, educational status and self efficacy were factors affecting the HIV preventive
behavior of mining workers. Working condition and existence of only masculine identity may
have an effect on their preventive behavior. Thus this population group should be understood as
most at risk population group at national level and Intervention like community based outreach
on HIV should be implemented and also developing and implementing VCT campaign as special
case for this population group should be designed.
