Table 1 Demographic characteristics, risk factors and behaviours of women followed in the HIV treatment centres (cases) and matched controls
Demographic characteristics | Total | Cases | Controls | p |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N = 640 (%) | N = 320 (%) | N = 320 (%) | ||
Mean age | 36.2 ± 8 | 36.3 ± 8.1 | 36.1 ± 7.9 | 0.70 |
Marital status | Â | Â | Â | 0.10 |
  Single | 30 (4.7) | 10 (3.1) | 20 (6.3) | |
  Bride/concubine | 513 (80.2) | 256 (80) | 257 (80.3) | |
  Divorced/widow | 97 (15.2) | 54 (16.9) | 43 (13.4) | |
Average number of children | 2.3 ± 1.5 | 2.0 ± 1.5 | 2.6 ± 1.4 | <0.0001 |
Religion | Â | Â | Â | 0.40 |
  Buddhist | 614 (95.9) | 305 (95.3) | 309 (96.5) | |
  Animistic | 26 (4.1) | 15 (4.6) | 11 (3.4) | |
Education level | Â | Â | Â | 0.002 |
  Illiterate | 48 (7.5) | 26 (8.1) | 22 (6.9) | |
  Primary | 337 (52.7) | 188 (58.8) | 149 (46.6) | |
  Secondary | 255 (39.8) | 106 (33.1) | 149 (46.6) | |
Occupation | Â | Â | Â | 0.20 |
  Housewife | 110 (11.2) | 53 (16.6) | 57 (17.8) | |
  Civil servant | 50 (7.8) | 20 (6.3) | 30 (9.4) | |
  Shopkeeper | 174 (27.2) | 82 (25.6) | 92 (28.8) | |
  Farmer | 209 (32.7) | 113 (35.3) | 96 (30) | |
  Factory woman | 88 (13.8) | 45 (14.1) | 43 (13.4) | |
  Hairdresser | 5 (0.8) | 3 (0.9) | 2 (0.6) | |
  Sex worker | 4 (0.6) | 4 (1.3) | 0 | |
Average income/month (US dollars) | 85.3 ± 69.2 | 79.2 ± 46.1 | 91.4 ± 85.8 | 0.01 |
Province | Â | Â | Â | 1.00 |
  Luang Prabang | 60 (9.4) | 30 (9.4) | 30 (9.4) | |
  Savannakhet | 434 (67.8) | 217 (67.8) | 217 (67.8) | |
  Vientiane | 146 (22.8) | 73 (22.8) | 73 (22.8) | |
Risk factors and behaviours | ||||
Average age at first intercourse | 18.6 ± 2.7 | 18.6 ± 2.9 | 18.7 ± 2.4 | 0.80 |
Average number of sexual partners | 2.5 ± 6.3 | 3.6 ± 8.7 | 1.5 ± 1.3 | <0.0001 |
Current use of condom | Â | Â | Â | <0.001 |
  - Never | 338 (52.8) | 81 (25.3) | 257 (80.3) | |
  - Sometimes | 61 (20.2) | 32 (13.4) | 29 (46.0) | |
  - Often | 48 (15.9) | 33 (13.8) | 15 (23.8) | |
  - Always | 193 (63.9) | 174 (72.8) | 19 (30.2) | |
Current method of contraception * | Â | Â | Â | Â |
  - Oral or injectable contraception | 104 (16.3) | 25 (7.8) | 79 (24.7) | <0.001 |
  - Coitus interruptus | 28 (4.4) | 5 (1.6) | 23 (7.2) | 0.001 |
  - Intra-uterine device | 11 (2.5) | 3 (1.1) | 8 (4.6) | 0.10 |
  - Tubal ligation | 4 (0.9) | 1 (0.3) | 3 (1.7) | 0.30 |
Smoking | 82 (12.8) | 57 (17.8) | 25 (7.8) | <0.001 |
Have consulted a gynaecologist | 234 (36.6) | 152 (47.5) | 82 (25.6) | <0.001 |
Have had ≥ 1 Pap smear screening | 25 (3.9) | 18 (5.6) | 7 (2.2) | 0.02 |