Sexual risk behaviour and HAART: a comparative study of HIV-infected persons on HAART and on preventive therapy in Kenya
Document Type
Article
Department
Obstetrics and Gynaecology (East Africa)
Abstract
Unprotected sex (UPS) among persons receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) remains a concern because of the risk of HIV-transmission. A cross-sectional study comparing the sexual risk behaviour of 179 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) receiving HAART with that of 143 PLHA receiving preventive therapy (PT) with cotrimoxazole/isoniazid was conducted in Mombasa, Kenya. Forty-five percent of all participants were sexually active in the last six months. Participants receiving PT were more likely to report ≥2 partners (13% vs.1%; P = 0.006). Participants receiving PT reported more UPS with regular partners (odds ratio [OR]: 3.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8–8.4) and also more sexually transmitted infections (STI) symptoms (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.0–2.8; P = 0.059). More than 40% of all participants did not know the HIV-status of regular partners. Therefore, HAART was not associated with increased sexual risk behaviours though considerable risk of HIV-transmission remains. HIV-care services need to emphasize partner testing and consistent condom use with all partners.
Publication (Name of Journal)
International Journal of STD & AIDS
Recommended Citation
Sarna, A.,
Luchters, S.,
Geibel, S.,
Kaai, S.,
Munyao, P.,
Shikely, K.,
Mandaliya, K.,
Dam, J.,
Temmerman, M.
(2008). Sexual risk behaviour and HAART: a comparative study of HIV-infected persons on HAART and on preventive therapy in Kenya. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 19(2), 85-89.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/eastafrica_fhs_fhs/308
Comments
This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.