Risky sexual behavior and associated factors among antiretroviral therapy attendees in Nekemte Referral Hospital, Western Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundHIV/AIDS remains a major public health problem. Practice of risky sexual behaviors is the major effective driver of the HIV epidemic among HIV-positive individuals. This behavior exposes their partners to HIV, and for those that are already positive it exposes them to a risk of suprainfection by other strains.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among people living with HIV attending antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic at Nekemte Referral Hospital.MethodsAn institution-based based cross-sectional study was conducted at the ART clinic of Nekemte Referral Hospital from March to April 2016. A total of 337 people living with HIV on ART for at least 3 months were selected by consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interview. Data were entered into Epi-data Version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Variables significant on bivariate logistic regression analysis at p<0.25 were considered as candidates for the multivariable logistic regression analysis, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05.ResultsApproximately one third (32.9%) of the study participants were engaged in risky sexual behavior in the past 3 months prior to the study. Having multiple sexual partners (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =6.38, 95% CI: 1.65, 24.74), being with a positive sero-status partner (AOR =2.68, 95% CI: 1.31, 5.5), not disclosing sero-status (AOR =5.99, 95% CI: 1.36, 26.35), having a desire for a child (AOR =2.6, 95% CI: 1.5, 4.51), having experience of perceived stigma (AOR =2.63, 95% CI: 1.5, 4.62), and lack of education on importance of protecting self from strain (AOR =5.64, 95% CI: 3.19, 9.96) were significantly associated with risky sexual behavior.Conclusion and recommendationThe prevalence of risky sexual behavior was high, and approximately one third of study participants were engaged in risky sexual behavior. Efforts to increase awareness through health education and counseling are highly recommended.

Risky sexual behaviours among women of reproductive age in a high HIV burdened township in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

“…The findings of this study are consistent with the findings of similar studies conducted in comparable settings (20,21). The fact that women who talked about condoms with partner during the preceding 12 months were more likely to use condoms during their sexual encounter suggests that being in a relationship where women are confident to have discussions related to sexual practices with their partners, is important for improving women's confidence to negotiate for condom use.…”

“…Although this study did not precisely focus on contraceptive use, linking these behavioural changing patterns among women is important, given the concerns they are raising. Similar to this study, risky sexual behaviours among participants whose partners were HIV positive was also shown in Ethiopia (21). There is less chances of condom use at sexual debut among youth (7,23), suggesting the importance of delaying sexual debut among women until they are able to make the informed and/or guided decisions with full considerations of the exposure to HIV infection (24).…”

“…Despite some similar findings with a study conducted in Tanzania, some aspects are contradictory, in so far as the associations between condom use and multiple sexual partners among women, are concerned (20). However, in Ethiopia, participants who were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and had multiple sexual partners were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour (21), and this pattern was observed in both males and females alike. In this study, we found no evidence to suggest that HIV positive status of women has any significant influence on condom use at multivariate analysis.…”

Risky sexual behaviours among women of reproductive age in a high HIV burdened township in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

“…Although this study did not precisely focus on contraceptive use, linking these behavioural changing patterns among women is important, given the concerns they are raising. Similar to this study, risky sexual behaviours among participants whose partners were HIV positive was also shown in Ethiopia [22]. There is less chances of condom use at sexual debut among youth [3,24], suggesting the importance of delaying sexual debut among women until they are able to make the informed and/or guided decisions with full considerations of the exposure to HIV infection [25].…”

“…Despite some similar findings to a study conducted in Tanzania, some aspects are contradictory, in as far as the associations between condom use and multiple sexual partners among women are concerned [21]. However, in Ethiopia, participants who were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and had multiple sexual partners were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour [22], and this pattern was observed in both males and females alike. In this study, we found no evidence to suggest that HIV positive status of women had any significant influence on condom use in multivariate analysis.…”