Unsafe sexual behavior among HIV-infected patients in Croatia, 2006: prevalence and associated factors.
Information about risky sexual behavior among people living with HIV/AIDS is important to prevent the spread of the disease. Using an anonymous, self-administrated questionnaire, we surveyed 185 HIV-infected patients about risk behaviors at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Croatia. Unprotected anal or vaginal sex in the preceding 6 months with partners of uninfected/unknown HIV status was reported by 20% of men who have sex with men (MSM), about half of whom reported multiple casual partners of unknown HIV status; 6% of heterosexual men; and 3% of women. Heterosexual patients were potentially more likely to expose regular partners to HIV but reported no risk behaviors with casual, non-concordant partners. MSM reported more risk behaviors, which were strongly associated with having > or = 2 sexual partners in the last 6 months and both insertive and receptive anal sex. Educational interventions in Croatia should target MSM to prevent high rates of HIV transmission.
Croatian Reference Center for AIDS, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Mirogojska 8, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia. sime.zekan@gmail.com
Sime
S
Zekan
Thomas E
TE
Novotny
Josip
J
Begovac
D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*