Changes in condom use after HIV diagnosis

Abstract

We investigated changes in condom use after HIV diagnosis. The study population comprised 78 asymptomatic HIV-infected subjects recruited from a clinic in Oslo, Norway, during 1988-92. In total, 240 follow-up visits were carried out. The response variable was repeated measurements of whether or not condoms were always used during anal/vaginal intercourse at follow-up. The explanatory variables were: time from HIV diagnosis to follow-up, exposure group (heterosexually infected, homosexual men, or infected through injecting drug use), time of HIV diagnosis (before 1987 or later), and history of condom use before HIV diagnosis. Random effects logistic regression analysis was used to study incremental changes in condom use, accommodating an unbalanced repeated measurement design. The use of condoms increased monotonously over time after HIV diagnosis in all exposure groups. Condom use was least likely among injecting drug users, subjects diagnosed before 1987 and subjects without a history of frequent condom use before HIV diagnosis.