title: Effectiveness of Behavior Change Communications for Reducing Transmission Risks Among People Living with HIV in 6 Countries in Central America.
abstract: This first region-wide study (N = 2,818) aims to estimate prevalence of HIV-related risks (sexual behavior, HIV disclosure, number of sex partners, violence) and factors associated with these risks as well as evaluate a behavior change communications program targeted to PLHIV in 6 countries in Central America. After 2 years, the program achieved moderate coverage, with 21 % of the sample reporting exposure to interpersonal communications (IPC) and 52 % to mass media program components. The odds of condom use, HIV disclosure, and participation in a self-help group increased by 1.4-1.8 times with exposure to mass media. Exposure to IPC increased odds of condom use by 2.7 and participation in self-help groups by 4.4 times. In addition, being in HIV care or taking ART was associated with condom use and HIV-status disclosure. About 30 % experienced physical or sexual violence, and those who did were 4 times less likely to use condoms. Findings suggest that behavioral interventions for PLHIV can reduce HIV-transmission risks and increase access to care.
authors.affiliation: Population Services International, 1120 19th Street, NW, STE 600, Washington, DC, 20036, USA, lung.vu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lung
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vu
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nieto-Andrade
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: DiVincenzo
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rivas
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Firestone
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: Sussy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lungo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002489:Central America; D003142:Communication; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure