Sexual behavior of persons living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy

Abstract

Background: High-risk sexual practices are an important driver for the spread of HIV; little is known about the sexual practices of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) in Nigeria. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sexual behaviors of PLWH and determinants of the practice of multiple sexual partners. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Information on sexual practices before and after diagnosis of HIV/AIDS was sought from PLWH on antiretroviral therapy. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 22 (IBM Chicago Illinois, USA). Results: A total of 250 PLWH participated in the study with the interquartile age range of 31–42 years. 72% were females and 43.6% had multiple sexual partners before diagnosis, whereas only 6.0% had multiple sexual partners after diagnosis (P 0.05). Conclusion: This study identifies gender as a determinant of high-risk sexual practices; males were more likely to have multiple sexual partners than their female counterparts before diagnosis. However, diagnosis or knowledge of HIV status is associated with a decline in risky sexual behaviors.

Keywords

• antiretroviral therapy (art)
• persons living with hiv/aids (plwha)
• sexual behavior