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Abstract
HIV + women and unprotected sex
M. Freitas da Silveira1, I. Silva dos Santos2, V.M. Antunes Brum1, C. Leandra Alves1
Background: HIV/AIDS is a growing problem among women; in Brazil they account for 28% of all reported cases. antiretroviral treatment is freely available in Brazil, contributing to extended survival and improved quality of life among women with HIV/AIDS. HIV positive women should be advised to perform protected sex, regardless of the HIV status of their partners.
Awareness of being HIV positive does not necessarily lead to consistent protected sex. We describe the characteristics of 26 HIV positive women who reportedly performed unprotected sex, relative to 314 women who did not reported it. All subjects were selected from a specialized clinic in Southern Brazil.
Methods: All women had been aware of their HIV status for at least two months prior to the baseline interview. Information was collected on time since diagnosis; age; skin color; schooling, marital status; income; religion; number of pregnancies; smoking; alcohol drinking; contraception; intention to become pregnant; age at first intercourse; number of partners; history of STDs; use of intravenous drugs; commercial sex; type of partner; disclosure her HIV status to the partner; and HIV status of the partner. Interviews were repeated 30 and 60 days after the baseline. Consistent unprotected sex was defined as non-use of condoms in the last intercourse preceding all three interviews.
Results: Consistent unprotected sex was not associated with any of the above variables, except for being more frequent among married women (P<0.001); those who had a recent pregnancy (P=0.03); those intending to get pregnant (P=0.03); those with a regular partner (P=0.02) and those who were aware of the HIV status of the partner (P=0.007), even if negative.
Conclusions: We were able to identify a subset of women who, despite being knowingly HIV positive, failed to have protected sex. This allows tailoring educational campaigns and concentrated preventive measures to those at higher risk.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
CDC1069
Suggested Citation
"M.FreitasdaSilveira, et al.
HIV + women and unprotected sex.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
CDC1069"
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