Introduction

HIV remains a severe global health problem. The Republic of Chad is moderately affected (1.3%), compared to Cameroon who suffers more of the burden of the HIV/AIDS (4.5%). We described the HIV risk factors in two neighboring Central African Republics, and compared the gaps in both countries.

Methods

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study; data was obtained from the Demographic and Health Survey. A stratified multi-stage cluster sample design was conducted. The sample size was 5248 in Chad and 7191 in Cameroon. We used SAS to fit a multilevel logistic model, and conducted a multivariate analysis.

Results

The median age of respondents was 30 (IQR, 20-40) years in Chad, and 28 (IQR, 20-40) in Cameroon. Only 12.45% reported had ever been tested for HIV in Chad, (41.77% in Cameroon). In Chad, 46.40% of participants did not know a place to get HIV test, (11.15% in Cameroon). The median number of lifetime sexual partners was 2 (IQR, 1-4) in Chad, and 6 (IQR, 3-15) in Cameroon. Among Chadian participants 31.63% had only one lifetime sexual partner, (10.76% in Cameroon). In Chad 86.95% of participants reported having no sex partner other than their spouse in the last 12 months; (57.3% in Cameroon).

Conclusion

Condom use and HIV testing rates were very low among Chadian men comparing to Cameroonian men; however, Cameroonian men were more likely to engage in multiple sexual partners and extra-marital relationship than Chadian men.