title: Impact of improved treatments on perceptions about HIV and safer sex among inner-city HIV-infected men and women.
abstract: Protease inhibitor combination therapies have significantly improved the health of many people with HIV/AIDS. Prior studies, consisting mainly of gay men, have indicated that these treatments have prompted reduced concern about HIV and an increase in high-risk behavior. This study assessed the impact of HIV treatment advances on HIV-infected individuals living in inner-city areas. A convenience sample was used (n = 196), consisting largely of heterosexual African-Americans and Hispanics. Almost the entire sample had heard of the latest HIV treatments, and 75% were currently on protease inhibitor regimens. One-third of the sample reported that AIDS was a less serious threat nowadays and that being HIV-positive was not a big deal. Fifteen percent of respondents believed that protease inhibitor combination therapies reduced the risk of HIV transmission, and 10% believed that these treatments reduced need for safer sex practices. As in previous studies of other populations, a significant percentage (23%) of respondents practiced safer sex less often since new HIV treatments arrived. HIV prevention programs need to focus more attention on HIV-infected individuals in inner city areas. Interventions for these individuals need to address changing attitudes and behaviors stemming from HIV treatment advances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services, Lehman College, CUNY, Bronx, NY 10468, USA. cdemmer@lehman.cuny.edu.
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Demmer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014504:Urban Health
chemical_list: D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors