The correlation between alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviours among people living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine if significant correlation exists between drinking any alcoholic beverage and risky sex among 326 AIDS patients. Participants completed anonymous surveys. The result of the regression and Pearson Correlation analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between drinking alcohol before sex and frequency of condom use (p < .0001). The number of sex partners respondents reported was also correlated with the frequency of alcohol use (p = .003). The result shows that the quantity of alcohol consumption was correlated with two indicators of risky sex: having multiple sexual partners (p < .0001) and having sexual intercourse without a condom (p < .001). Interventions are that integrate HIV risk reduction with alcohol risk reduction is very useful to minimize the risk of new HIV infections and/or manage existing infections.

The Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Risk Behaviour: A Systematic Literature Review of High-Risk Groups, with a Focus on South Africa

“…Another, based on findings by The NIMH: Multi-site HIV/ STD-Prevention Trial for African AmericanCouples Group, 2010 showed that females were less likely to be alcohol dependant (9.09%) than males (14.96%), (OR 1.65, CI 1.15-2.36). Alcohol use correlated with a higher number of sex partners and lower condom use (Gerbi et al, 2009 Men were significantly more likely than women to drink alcohol before sex Alcohol use before sex was correlated with lower condom use (74% of those who do not drink before sex vs. 43% of those who drink before sex report using condoms most of the time, p=0.0001)…”

“…However, this ethnic group is still at risk of HIV infection due to the high number of concurrent sexual partners and concurrent sexual partnerships were found to be especially prevalent among females who scored positive for alcohol abuse (The NIMH Multisite HIV/STD Prevention Trial for African American Couples Group, 2010). While observing that alcohol use decreased the frequency of condom use in 326 AIDS patients, Gerbi et al (2009) found that ethnicity does not influence this behavior. The frequency of alcohol use was correlated with a higher number of sex partners (p=0.003) and lower condom use (p=0.001) (Gerbi et al, 2009).…”

“…While observing that alcohol use decreased the frequency of condom use in 326 AIDS patients, Gerbi et al (2009) found that ethnicity does not influence this behavior. The frequency of alcohol use was correlated with a higher number of sex partners (p=0.003) and lower condom use (p=0.001) (Gerbi et al, 2009). …”

Changes in sexual activity following substance dependence treatment

“…Sexual risk behaviours among individuals abusing alcohol and other drugs include having multiple sexual partners and having intercourse without a condom, patterns maintained even among the high-risk group of individuals living with HIV/AIDS (Palepu et al, 2005;Gerbi et al, 2009;Shuper et al, 2009;Calsyn et al, 2010). Given the cognitive and physiological effects of alcohol itself, the unsafe practices during sexual contacts by individuals abusing alcohol may be due to diminished ability to use protection (Kusseling et al, 1996;Metsch et al, 2004).…”

Ethnographic Mapping of Alcohol Use and Risk Behaviors in Delhi

“…A large number of recent studies in South Asia and elsewhere have found strong evidence that alcohol and drug abuse are associated with seeking the services of sex workers, failure to use condoms, and other sexually risky actions [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Research and action programs dealing with HIV/AIDS risk behaviors have generally found that mapping of locations of sex workers, concentrations of bars and other ''pick-up places,'' truck driver halt sites, and other geographic features is a crucial data-gathering operation for identifying at-risk groups and carrying out sustained intervention activities [8][9][10].…”