Close relationships and safer sex among HIV-infected men with haemophilia

Abstract

The present study sought to inform future behavioural intervention efforts by obtaining information from HIV-positive heterosexual men with haemophilia about their attitudes towards close relationships, attitudes towards risk reduction practices, and actual risk reduction practices. HIVinfected males with haemophilia ( n = 358) responded to a self-administered questionnaire. Men who reported being involved in a close relationship ( n = 237) were compared to men who said that they were not involved at the time of data collection ( n = 121). Involved men were more likely than uninvolved men to agree that close relationships provide benefits such as physical intimacy and communication, and that these benefits are important. Men who were not involved perceived more negative consequences of discussing HIV risk reduction with partners (including partner rejection and negative emotional reactions) than did involved men and were much more concerned about the potential negative consequences of risk reduction discussions. Involvement was associated with having disclosed HIV-seropositivity and having discussed HIV risk reduction. Risk reduction interventions for men with haemophilia who are not involved in close, sexual relationships should address positive and negative attitudes towards close relationships and towards discussing risk reduction. Interventions should emphasize communication skills and rehearsal of serostatus disclosure as well as of risk reduction discussions.