Association between alcohol use and HIV status: findings from Zambia and Zimbabwe

OBJECTIVE: To conduct statistical analysis to assess the association between alcohol use and HIV status using Demographic Health Survey data from Zambia (2013-2014) and Zimbabwe (2015-2016). RESULTS: The study showed an association between alcohol use and HIV status using nationally representative population-based surveys. The surveys were conducted among men (15-54 years) and women (15-49 years) in 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 in Zambia and Zimbabwe respectively. HIV prevalence in the two countries was higher among males and females who drank alcohol compared to those who did not. This study reinforces the existing knowledge base on the association between alcohol use and HIV sero-status and calls for further research to explore the causal pathways between alcohol consumption and HIV status.