HIV super-infection beliefs and sexual practices of people living with HIV/AIDS.
BACKGROUND
People living with HIV can be reinfected with a new viral strain resulting in potential treatment-resistant recombinant virus known as HIV super-infection. Individual's beliefs about the risks for HIV super-infection may have significant effects on the sexual behaviours of people living with HIV/AIDS. HIV super-infection beliefs and sexual behaviours among people living with HIV/AIDS were examined in the present study.


METHODS
Three hundred and twenty men, 137 women, and 33 transgender persons completed confidential surveys in a community research setting.


RESULTS
A majority of participants were aware of HIV super-infection and most believed it was harmful to their health. Hierarchical multiple regressions predicting protected anal/vaginal intercourse with same HIV status (seroconcordant) partners showed that older age and less alcohol use were associated with greater protected sex. In addition, HIV super-infection beliefs predicted protected sexual behaviour over and above participant age and alcohol use.


CONCLUSIONS
Beliefs about HIV super-infection exert significant influence on sexual behaviours of people living with HIV/AIDS and should be targeted in HIV prevention messages for HIV infected persons.
Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. seth.k@uconn.edu
Seth C
SC
Kalichman
Lisa
L
Eaton
Chauncey
C
Cherry
Moira O
MO
Kalichman
Howard
H
Pope
Denise
D
White
Christina M
CM
Amaral
Connie
C
Swetzes
Rene
R
Macy
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D015163:Superinfection / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult