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.
Zekan
Sime
S
Croatian Reference Center for AIDS, University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Mirogojska 8, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia. sime.zekan@gmail.com
Novotny
Thomas E
TE
Begovac
Josip
J
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*