title: Sexual risk-taking behaviour among HIV outpatients in Argentina.
abstract: HIV prevention strategies must be based on evidence of risk behaviours among people with HIV infection. This study aimed to determine the demographic, behavioural and self-reported disease/treatment variables that predict sexual risk behaviour, defined as unprotected intercourse with a partner of unknown or negative HIV status, among HIV-infected outpatients in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Two hundred consecutive outpatients (response rate 76.5%) participated in a self-complete cross sectional survey. The majority (49.5%) identified as heterosexual, and most were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (75.5%). Undetectable viral load was currently achieved by 63%. Unprotected intercourse with a person of unknown or discordant status in the previous three months was reported by 20%. In multivariate analysis, risk was associated with lower distress from physical symptoms (p=0.012), greater distress from psychological symptoms (p=0.038) and being on treatment had borderline association with risk (p=0.058). The data reveal an important link between self-reported experience of disease, and treatment, with risk. Secondary prevention, care and treatment should not be conducted in isolation from each other if outcomes are to be optimised.
authors: a Department of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation, Cicely Saunders Institute , King's College London , London , UK.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Harding
authors: Jorge H
authors: JH
authors: Eisenchlas
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Strauss
authors: Lorraine
authors: L
authors: Sherr
authors: Liliana
authors: L
authors: De Lima
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Cahn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000523:psychology*; D001118:Argentina; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology; D020010:Heterosexuality; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D012044:Regression Analysis; D057566:Self Report; D012747:Sexual Partners; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult