title: High levels of risk behavior among people living with HIV Initiating and waiting to start antiretroviral therapy in Cape Town South Africa.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Eisele
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mathews
authors.forename: Mickey
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chopra
authors.forename: Lisanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Silvestre
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Daries
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kendall
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents