Risky Sexual Practice and Factors Related Among People Living With HIV/AIDS Attending Art in Addis Ababa Public Hospitals
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: The sexual behavior of HIV infected people has received little serious
attention for a range of factors. Even though many of them avoid risky sexual
behavior, a substantial number continue to engage in risky sexual practices that
not only transmit the virus to others but also place themselves at risk of contracting
secondary infection.
Objective: This study aimed to assess risky sexual practice and factors related
among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) attending ART in Addis Ababa public
hospitals
Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study supplemented with a qualitative
study was conducted among ART attendants in Addis Ababa public hospitals
from February to March, 2009.
Results: The majority of the respondents were using condoms consistently;
however, significant proportion (36.9%) had a history of unprotected sex in the
three months prior to the study period. The major reasons given for not using
condoms were partner’s dislike of them, both partners being positive for HIV and
need to have a child. Discussion about condom use and safe sex (AOR=7.23,95%
CI: 4.14, 12.63), negative safer sex pleasure (AOR=2.39, 95% CI: 1.52, 3.76), multiple
partnerships (AOR=2.67,95% CI:1.09, 6.57), negative partner serostatus (AOR=0.33,
95% CI:0.14,0.80), unknown partner serostatus (AOR=0.19 CI 95% CI: 0.09,0.39) and
self-efficacy to use condom ( AOR =3.29, 95% CI: 2.07, 5.23) are factors associated
with unprotected sex.
Conclusion and Recommendation: Even if majority of ART attendants used
condoms consistently, still considerable number engaged in unprotected sex with
HIV positive, negative or unknown serostatus partner. This would have negative
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effect in terms of reinfection with a new strain, other sexually transmitted infections
and further transmission of the virus. So, interventions targeted to those factors
related with unprotected sex practice were recommended to be addressed
through counseling, teaching, encouragements and other possible approaches
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Keywords
Sexual behavior of HIV infected people