title: Sexual risk behavior among people living with HIV and AIDS on antiretroviral therapy at the regional hospital of Sokodé, Togo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies on the sexual risk behaviors in sub-Saharan Africa have reported that the initiation of antiretroviral therapy leads to safer sexual behaviors. There is however a persistence of risky sexual behavior which is evidenced by a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). We sought to determine the factors associated with risky sex among PLWHA on antiretroviral therapy in Togo.
  
  
  METHODS
  An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted from May to July 2013 at regional hospital of Sokodé, Togo, and targeted 291 PLWHA on antiretroviral therapy for at least three months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From May to July 2013, 291 PLWHA on antiretroviral treatment were surveyed. The mean age of PLWHA was 37.3 years and the sex ratio (male/female) was 0.4. Overall, 217 (74.6%) PLWHA were sexually active since initiation of antiretroviral treatment, of which, 74 (34.6%) had risky sexual relations. In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with risky sex were: the duration of antiretroviral treatment (1 to 3 years: aOR = 27.08; p = 0.003; more than 3 years: aOR = 10.87; p = 0.028), adherence of antiretroviral therapy (aOR = 2.56; p = 0.014), alcohol consumption before sex (aOR = 3.59; p = 0.013) and level of education (primary school: aOR = 0.34 p = 0.011; secondary school: aOR = 0.23 p = 0.003; high school: aOR = 0.10; p = 0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a high prevalence of unsafe sex among PLWHA receiving ART at the hospital of Sokodé. Factors associated with sexual risk behaviors were: low education level, non-adherence to ART, alcohol consumption before sex and the duration of ART. It is important to strengthen the implementation of secondary prevention strategies among this population group.
authors: Issifou
authors: I
authors: Yaya
authors: Bayaki
authors: B
authors: Saka
authors: Division de l'épidémiologie, Ministère de la santé, BP: 1396 Lomé, Togo. mlandoh@yahoo.fr.
authors: Dadja Essoya
authors: DE
authors: Landoh
authors: P'Niwè Massoubayo
authors: PM
authors: Patchali
authors: Makawa-Sy
authors: MS
authors: Makawa
authors: Sékandé
authors: S
authors: Senanou
authors: Daoudou
authors: D
authors: Idrissou
authors: Bassan
authors: B
authors: Lamboni
authors: Palokinam
authors: P
authors: Pitche
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014037:Togo; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents