Risky Attitudes and Behaviors of HIV-Positive People After Diagnosis

Abstract

Objective: HIV/AIDS cases are increasing rapidly in our country. Although there are many transmission routes, unprotected sexual intercourse is the main reason for the increase in HIV prevalence. Despide newly data in the literature that show there is no HIV transmission from partners who have been given viral suppression by antiretroviral therapy, evaluation of sexual behavior pattern is still important for resource control. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in sexual behavior after diagnosis, the level of knowledge about safe sexuality, and the attitudes and behaviors of informing the sexual partner about HIV status in HIV-infected individuals under follow-up and treatment. Methods: A questionnaire consisting of fifteen questions was filled out by the volunteers who were followed up in the HIV outpatient clinic of our hospital and the data were evaluated with SPSS statistical package program. Results: The mean age of the fifty participants was 38 years. Most of them are men, 40% stated that they are gay and 40% of them are married. Seventy percent of the respondents stated that the frequency of risky sexual behavior decreased after being diagnosed with HIV. However, perhaps the most striking finding of our study is that approximately one third of the participants never informed their sexual partner about their HIV status and 44% said they did not use condoms during sexual intercourse. More than half of the participants stated that they would like to receive information about safe sex and sexually transmitted infections. They also stated that they wanted to get this information from physicians. Conclusion: As a result, there is a decrease in risky sexual behaviors after diagnosis in HIV positive patients. However, risky behaviors such as not using condoms still continue. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that viral loads are negative with regular antiretroviral therapy and to promote safe sexual behavior.