Sexual Risk Behavior and Its Change among HIV-Positive Persons after Notifying their HIV Infection Status: A Retrospective Survey

Abstract

Background: The number of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is increasing by year, and sexual transmission accounts for the main route of transmission. While there is some debate on whether notifying HIV infection status will affect PLWHAs’ sexual behavior in China, this study investigates sexual risk behavior and its change among PLWHA before and after they are informed of HIV infection and provide evidence for prevention and control of AIDS. Methods: A retrospective survey using integrated questionnaires was conducted among PLWHA, who had been notified their HIV-positive status for more than 6 months, to analyze their sexual risk behavior and the behavior change. Chi Square Test and Fisher’s Exact Test were used to compare their behavior change before and after notification. Results: 1105 PLWHA were investigated in this study, 84.2% of them have not had risky sex after notification. Among those who still had sexual risk behavior after notification, the proportions of those whose sexual frequency were more than once per week, those who have more than one sexual partner, and those who have temporary sexual partners decreased by 7.3%, 36.9%, and 48.4%, respectively. Chi-square test results revealed that the differences of proportion of sexual behavior, number of sexual partners, and type of sexual partners before and after notification were significant. Conclusion: In total, the sexual risk behavior of PLWHA turned safer in the first 6 months after notification, which indicates that the notification and intervention of HIV infection is effective for HIV prevention.