Sexual Behaviour and Attitudes towards Safe Sex of Youth Receiving Antiretroviral Care at Public Health Facilities in Palapye District, Botswana

Abstract

Background: Sexual behaviour of HIV-infected youths is very important in determining the direction of the HIV epidemic, as these youths are reservoirs of HIV and can propagate its transmission if they engage in risky sexual behaviours. However, support structures for secondary prevention are weak even in healthcare settings. There is a need to understand the sexual behaviour of these youths and, in turn, tailor appropriate secondary prevention strategies, hence the current study was designed to assess sexual behaviour and attitudes towards safe sex of youth receiving antiretroviral care at public health facilities in Palapye district, Botswana. Method: This quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional survey was used to describe the sexual behaviour and attitudes towards safe sex and identify factors associated with risky sexual behaviours among HIV-infected youths aged between 15 and 19 years receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) care from public healthcare facilities in Palapye District, Botswana. Results: A total of 188 youths participated in this study, 56% being females while 44% were males. We reported that 15.4% had ever had sex. At their last sexual encounter, more than half of the youths (51.7%) had not used condoms. More than a third of the participants were under the influence of alcohol during their last sexual experience. Generally, the youths had good attitudes towards safe sex, as most youths said they would prioritise protecting their sexual partners and themselves from HIV and STIs. Alcohol use, substance use and not considering religion as important were strongly associated with having ever had sex. Conclusions: A significant proportion of HIV-infected youths are sexually active, whereas their preventive practices such as condom use are poor despite good attitudes towards safe sex. Alcohol use, substance use and not perceiving religion as important were associated with risky sexual behaviours.

Risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among adult patients on antiretroviral treatment at Mankweng Hospital in Limpopo Province, South Africa

“…The incidence of HIV in South Africa is driven primarily by sexual contact between PLHIV and those who are uninfected, a growing number of South African PLHIV receiving ART were reported to continue engaging in unprotected sex (15). Risky sexual behavior among people receiving ART is a major public health concern, not only because of the risk of HIV transmission, but also the potential risk of transmission of resistant strains (16)(17)(18)(19). People who default on treatment develop resistance to antiretroviral drugs leading to incomplete viral suppression, which may limit both the magnitude and the duration of the response to treatment (20).…”