HIV treatment beliefs and sexual transmission risk behaviors among HIV positive men and women.
People are living longer and healthier with HIV infection because of successful combination antiretroviral therapies. HIV treatment beliefs are often associated with sexual practices among people living with HIV/AIDS but these associations may depend on the HIV status of sex partners. In a sample of 158 HIV positive men and women who were receiving HIV treatments, we examined the association between HIV treatment beliefs, HIV transmission risk perceptions, medication adherence, viral load and engaging in unprotected intercourse with any sex partners and specifically with sex partners who were not HIV positive (non-concordant). Results showed having missed medications in the past two days and treatment-related beliefs were significantly associated with engaging in unprotected intercourse with all sex partners as well as non-concordant partners. However, multivariate models showed that only treatment beliefs were significantly associated with engaging in unprotected intercourse with non-concordant partners. These results extend past research by demonstrating that the HIV status of sex partners sets the context for whether prevention-related treatment beliefs are associated with HIV transmission risk behaviors among people living with HIV/AIDS.
Kalichman
Seth C
SC
Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. seth.k@uconn.edu
Eaton
Lisa
L
Cain
Demetria
D
Cherry
Charsey
C
Pope
Howard
H
Kalichman
Moira
M
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents