Antiretroviral treatment and sexual risk behavior in South Africa
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2015
TITLE AUTHOR(S): K.Risher, T.Rehle, L.Simbayi, O.Shisana, D.D.Celentano
KEYWORDS: ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY (ART), HIV/AIDS, RISK BEHAVIOUR, SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR
DEPARTMENT: Public Health, Societies and Belonging (HSC), Office of the CEO (ERM), Office of the CEO (OCEO), Office of the CEO (IL), Office of the CEO (BS), Office of the CEO (IA)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 8745
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/1849
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/1849
If you would like to obtain a copy of this Research Output, please contact Hanlie Baudin at researchoutputs@hsrc.ac.za.
Abstract
The sexual behavior of individuals living with HIV determines the onward transmission of HIV. With the understanding that antiretroviral therapy (ART) prevents transmission of HIV, the sexual behaviors of the individuals not on ART with unsuppressed viral loads becomes of the greatest importance in elucidating transmission. We assessed the association between being on ART and sexual risk behavior among those living with HIV in a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional survey of households in South Africa that was conducted in 2012. Of 2237 adults (aged 15-49) who tested HIV-seropositive, 667 (29.8 %) had detectable antiretroviral drugs in their blood specimens. Among males, 77.7 % of those on ART reported having had sex in the past year contrasted with 88.4 % of those not on ART (p = 0.001); among females, 72.2 % of those on ART reported having had sex in the past year while 80.3 % of those not on ART did (p < 0.001). For males and females, the odds of reporting consistent condom use and condom use at last sex were statistically significantly higher for individuals on ART compared to those not on ART (males: consistent condom use aOR 2.8, 95 % CI 1.6-4.9, condom use at last sex aOR 2.6, 95 % CI 1.5-4.6; females: consistent condom use aOR 2.3, 95 % CI 1.7-3.1, condom use at last sex aOR 2.3, 95 % CI 1.7-3.1), while there were no statistically significant differences in odds of reporting multiple sexual partners in the past year. In this nationally representative population-based survey of South African adults, we found evidence of less risky sexual risk behavior among people living with HIV on ART compared to those not on ART.-
Related Research Outputs:
- Safer sexual behaviours after 1 year of antiretroviral treatment in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a prospective cohort study
- Combination HIV prevention among MSM in South Africa: results from agent-based modeling
- New insights into HIV epidemic in South Africa: key findings from the National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey, 2012
- Abstract: Determinants of the use of voluntary counselling and testing services among the sexually active adult population of South Africa
- Intimate partner violence as a factor associated with risky sexual behaviours and alcohol misuse among men
- Methamphetamine use and sexual risks for HIV infection in Cape Town, South Africa
- Disclosure of HIV status to sex partners and sexual risk behaviours amongh HIV-positive men and women, Cape Town, South Africa
- Alcohol use and sexual risks for HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review of empirical findings
- Behaviourial risks and HIV sero-status household survey in the Klerksdorp district of South Africa: a baseline study
- Alcohol expectations and risky drinking among men and women at high-risk for HIV infection in Cape Town, South Africa
- Recent multiple sexual partners and HIV transmission risks among people living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana
- Rapid appraisal of substance abuse and HIV awareness messages in poster communication to disadvantaged youth in South Africa
- Youth voices about sex and AIDS: implications for life skills education through the 'Learning Together' project in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Disclosure decisions and HIV transmission risk behaviour of HIV positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Cape Town, South Africa
- Development of HIV behavioural risk reduction intervention programmes for people living with HIV/AIDS in support groups
- Behavioural change interventions including positive prevention for reducing the risk of HIV infection in South Africa
- Brief HIV risk reduction intervention for sexually transmitted infection clinic patients who use alcohol in Cape Town
- Methamphetamine use and sexual risks for HIV infection in Cape Town, South Africa
- Methamphetamine use and sexual risks for HIV infection in Cape Town, South Africa
- Stigma and discrimination experiences of HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Cape Town, South Africa