Acquisition of new sexual partners among women with HIV infection: patterns of disclosure and sexual behavior within new partnerships.
This study describes the sexual behavior of HIV-positive women within new versus more established relationships and determines whether beliefs about HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) impact these behaviors. The Women's Interagency HIV Study is a longitudinal cohort study of HIV among women in the United States. Sexually active HIV-positive women (N = 1,090) completed interviews on beliefs and behaviors at 6-month intervals. Data were analyzed for the period between April 2002 and March 2003. Of 1,517 sexual partners reported, 32% were newly acquired within the previous 6 months. As compared with more established sexual relationships, newer partnerships were characterized by greater condom use consistency (odds ratio = 1.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.4 -2.3). Holding beliefs that ART is protective for HIV transmission impacted the relationship between partner type and condom use. In established relationships, 63% reported consistent condom use if they believed that ART is not protective, whereas 54% reported consistent condom use if they believed that ART is protective.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings highlight the importance of ongoing support for sexual risk reduction among women with HIV-infection and for strategies that reduce the strength of relationships between ART beliefs and sexual risk behavior.
Wilson
Tracey E
TE
Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. Tracey.Wilson@downstate.edu
Feldman
Joseph
J
Vega
Miriam Y
MY
Gandhi
Monica
M
Richardson
Jean
J
Cohen
Mardge H
MH
McKaig
Rosemary
R
Ostrow
David
D
Robison
Esther
E
Gange
Stephen J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population