High levels of risk behavior among people living with HIV Initiating and waiting to start antiretroviral therapy in Cape Town South Africa.
Baseline data were collected in Cape Town during 2006 to study if patients on combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) experience decreased inhibition to avoid risky sexual behavior. A total of 924 HIV-positive individuals were recruited; 520 who initiated ART within 3 months and 404 waiting for ART. Nearly half of men (40.1%) and women (46.3%) reported having unprotected sex their last time. Men and women who did not disclose their HIV status to their partner [Odds ration (OR)=2.57 (95% CI: 1.22-5.50) and 2.84 (95% CI: 1.84-4.39), respectively], and those with ambivalent perception about the relationship between ART and HIV transmission [OR=2.08 (95% CI: 1.00-4.30) and 2.39 (95% CI: 1.50-3.84), respectively], were twice as likely to have had unprotected sex their last time. Results suggest an urgent need to strengthen prevention interventions among HIV-positive individuals on and about to start ART in this setting.
Eisele
Thomas P
TP
Department of International Health and Development, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2200, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. teisele@tulane.edu
Mathews
Catherine
C
Chopra
Mickey
M
Brown
Lisanne
L
Silvestre
Eva
E
Daries
Vanessa
V
Kendall
Carl
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents