A cross-sectional study using structured questionnaire was conducted in two sites in Livingstone, selected on the basis of socio-economic status. 130 women aged 15-49years were randomly selected using a 10% systematic sample of households and the data collected was analyzed using EPI INFO version 2000. The study mean age was 29. 5 years. 3. 1 %( n=2) of women revealed their HIV sero-status while 4. 6 %( n=3) were in polygamous marriage. Women with Secondary education was the highest respondents, 55. 4 %( n=36) peri-urban community and 47. 7 %( n=31) urban community. Urban community had the highest proportion of women (16. 6%) with College/University education compared to 1. 6 %( n=1) peri-urban community. 84. 6% (n=55) were unemployed from the peri-urban compared to 60% (n=39) from the urban community. The study revealed that there was an association between high risk behaviour for contracting HIV with residence (p=0. 034) as well marital status (p=0. 046). Married women were more at risk of contracting HIV (62. 1%) than women who are not married (34. 9%). Women in urban areas were more likely to be at high risk behaviour of contracting HIV (62. 8%) than women in the peri-urban area (37. 2%).
