Sexual risk behaviour and HAART: a comparative study of HIV-infected persons on HAART and on preventive therapy in Kenya.
Unprotected sex (UPS) among persons receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) remains a concern because of the risk of HIV-transmission. A cross-sectional study comparing the sexual risk behaviour of 179 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) receiving HAART with that of 143 PLHA receiving preventive therapy (PT) with cotrimoxazole/isoniazid was conducted in Mombasa, Kenya. Forty-five percent of all participants were sexually active in the last six months. Participants receiving PT were more likely to report > or =2 partners (13% vs.1%; P = 0.006). Participants receiving PT reported more UPS with regular partners (odds ratio [OR]: 3.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8-8.4) and also more sexually transmitted infections (STI) symptoms (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.0-2.8; P = 0.059). More than 40% of all participants did not know the HIV-status of regular partners. Therefore, HAART was not associated with increased sexual risk behaviours though considerable risk of HIV-transmission remains. HIV-care services need to emphasize partner testing and consistent condom use with all partners.
Sarna
A
A
Population Council, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India. asarna@popcouncil.org
Luchters
S M F
SM
Geibel
S
S
Kaai
S
S
Munyao
P
P
Shikely
K S
KS
Mandaliya
K
K
van Dam
J
J
Temmerman
M
M
D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000523:psychology*; D017280:Condoms; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use
D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D007538:Isoniazid