AIDS awareness and sexual behaviour in a high HIV prevalence area in                rural northern Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

The objective was to assess AIDS awareness and sexual behaviour in a rural South African community with a high HIV prevalence. One hundred clinic attenders underwent a structured interview using a standard questionnaire. Although the 64 female and 36 male patients, mean age 22 (range 13–45), had good knowledge of AIDS-related issues, only 50 perceived HIV/AIDS as a common problem. Of the 75 patients who were sexually active only 30 (40%) used condoms (men 16; 55% vs women 14; 30%, P = 0.033) despite being better informed about the protective effect of condoms (active 61; 81% vs abstinent 14; 56%, P = 0.011). More men than women admitted to multiple sexual partners (17; 47% vs 7; 11%, P < 0.0001). In conclusion, despite a high level of awareness of HIV/AIDS issues, self-perceived risk was low, condom use was infrequent and especially men continued to have multiple sexual partners. Awareness has yet to translate into reduction of risk behaviour.

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High HIV prevalence and associated factors in a remote community in the Rwenzori region of Western Uganda

Infectious Disease Reports ◽

10.4081/idr.2010.1585 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 13 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

John Rubaihayo ◽

Akib Surat ◽

Mughusu Ezekiel ◽

Abaasa Andrew

Keyword(s):

Hiv Transmission ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sexual Partners ◽

Hiv Prevalence ◽

Community Perceptions ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Multiple Sexual Partners ◽

Western Uganda

In Uganda, previous studies have shown a tremendous decline in HIV prevalence over the past two decades due to changes in sexual behavior with a greater awareness of the risks involved. However, studies in Fort-Portal municipality, a rural town in Western Uganda, continued to show a persistent high HIV prevalence despite the various interventions in place. We conducted a study to establish the current magnitude of HIV prevalence and the factors associated with HIV prevalence in this community. This cross-sectional study was conducted between July and November 2008. Participants were residents of Fort-Portal municipality aged 15-49 years. A population-based HIV sero-survey and a clinical review of prevention of mother to child HIV transmission (PMTCT) and voluntary counseling and HIV Testing (VCT) records were used to collect quantitative data. An inteviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect qualitative data on social deographics, risk behaviour and community perceptions. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews provided supplementary data on community perceptions. Logistic regression was used in the analysis. The overall HIV prevalence in the general population was 16.1% [95% CI; 12.5-20.6]. Prevalence was lower among women (14.5%; 95% CI; 10.0-19.7) but not significantly different from that among men (18.7%; 95% CI; 12.5-26.3) (c2=0.76, P=0.38). Having more than 2 sexual partners increased the odds of HIV by almost 2.5 times. None or low education and age over 35 years were independently associated with HIV prevalence (P<0.05). Most participants attributed the high HIV prevalence to promiscuity/multiple sexual partners (32.5%), followed by prostitution (13.6%), alcoholism (10.1%), carelessness (10.1%), poverty (9.7%), ignorance (9.5%)), rape (4.7%), drug abuse (3.6%) and others (malice/malevolence, laziness, etc.) (6.2%). Although there was a slight decline compared to previous reports, the results from this study confirm that HIV prevalence is still high in this community. In order to prevent new infections, the factors mentioned above need to be addressed, and we recommend that education aimed at changing individual behavior should be intensified in this community.

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Impact of Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention Program on Reduction of Risky Sexual Behaviors in an African Rural Community

International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health ◽

10.9734/ijtdh/2020/v41i630284 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 32-45

Author(s):

Ali Johnson Onoja ◽

Felix OlaniyiSanni ◽

Paul Olaiya Abiodun ◽

. JohnShaibu ◽

Sheila Onoja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary Education ◽

Sexual Behaviour ◽

Prevention Program ◽

Aids Prevention ◽

Sexual Partners ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Multiple Sexual Partners ◽

Hiv Intervention ◽

The Impact ◽

Hiv Aids

Aims: This study compares the sexual behaviour of the residents of Bonny kingdom, Rivers State in pre-intervention and post-intervention periods of a comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention program carried out by the African Health Project in collaboration with independent research consultants and members of the Ibanise HIV/AIDS initiative in the community for three years from 2009-2012. Methodology: This is a quantitative survey that used a structured questionnaire among a representative sample of the general population aged 15 – 49 years. Post-intervention survey was conducted three years after the pre-intervention survey. The data obtained include the demographics; age, sex, education, occupation, marital status and sexual related information. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: This study comprised 1021 (53.3%) males and 895 females (46.7%) in the pre-intervention survey and 659 (54.2%) males and 556 (45.7%) in the post-intervention survey, mostly aged 15-34 years and had secondary education. More females have ever had sex in both surveys but there was a significant reduction in the percentage of males who have ever had sex from 70.8% to 42.0% in pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys respectively. The rate of sexual activities was very high before intervention among unmarried males (51.6%), age 15-24 years (69.6%), secondary education (50.7%) and graduates (65.9%). However, there was a drastic reduction in these values after the interventions. During pre-intervention survey, 9.4% of females and 13% of males had ever accepted or given gifts exchange for sex while the post-intervention survey showed a decrease into 8.0% among females and 5.5% among males. This proportion was 13.0% among adolescents 15-24 years in the pre-intervention survey and 4.7% in the post-intervention survey. Also, there was 65.0% decrease in the proportion of singles who had ever received gifts in exchange for sexual intercourse after the intervention. A high proportion of the males had multiple sexual partners during the pre-intervention survey (34.6%) but the value reduced to 3.2% after the intervention. Similarly, the percentage of the adolescent who had multiple sexual partners reduce from 22.2% to 2.5% due to the intervention. The pre-intervention survey showed that about 56.0% of males and 81.0% of females had sex with non-marital partners while the post-intervention survey showed that about 71.0% of males and 76.0% of females did same. Conclusion: The study has shown a significant positive impact of health interventions in improving the sexual behaviour of Bonny residents. However, more and regular interventions are needed in this environment to further prevent the spread of HIV and STIs due to the vulnerability of the residents, especially the adolescents to sexually transmitted infection.There is also need for more study to evaluate the impact of sexual and reproductive health programs for adolescence and adult that already exist in Nigeria in comparison with the HIV intervention outcome.

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Sexual behaviour patterns and STI risk: results of a cluster analysis among men who have sex with men in Portugal

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033290 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e033290

Author(s):

Karel Blondeel ◽

Sonia Dias ◽

Martina Furegato ◽

Armando Seuc ◽

Ana Gama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Sexual Behaviour ◽

Hierarchical Cluster ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Sexual Partners ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Research Approach ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Combination Prevention ◽

Sex With Men

ObjectivesPortugal has the highest HIV incidence rate in Western Europe. The proportion assigned to sexual contact between men recently increased to more than 30% of all HIV infections. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are vulnerable to the acquisition of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), increasing the per-contact risk of HIV infection. Building on syndemic theory, the aim of this analysis was to identify patterns of current sexual behaviour in MSM, and explore their relationship with self-reported current, past STI diagnoses and HIV positive serostatus.DesignA cross-sectional behavioural survey was conducted in Portugal among MSM, using a community-based participatory research approach. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify patterns including behavioural and demographic factors.ResultsThe analysis resulted in six clusters. Three clusters showed higher rates of current STI diagnosis (ranging from 11.7% to 17.1%), past STI diagnosis (ranging from 25.5% to 41.5%) and HIV positive serostatus (ranging from 13.0% to 16.7%). From the three clusters scoring lower on current and past STI and HIV diagnoses, one was characterised by a high number of sexual partners (62% had more than 12 partners in the last year), a high proportion (94.6%) of frequent visits to gay venues to meet sexual partners and high alcohol use (46.1%). The other two clusters scored lower on high risk sexual behaviour.ConclusionFactors other than sexual behaviour appear to reinforce the vulnerability to STIs and HIV of some MSM in this study, suggesting a syndemic of STIs, HIV and other adverse conditions. More research is needed to better understand the drivers of the STI/HIV epidemic in Portuguese MSM, using a concept that goes beyond risk behaviour, to develop effective combination prevention interventions.

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Mandatory HIV testing in China: the perception of health-care providers

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1258/095646207781147355 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 476-481 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Li Li ◽

Zunyou Wu ◽

Sheng Wu ◽

Sung-Jae Lee ◽

Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Ethical Issues ◽

Service Providers ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Care Providers ◽

Hiv Aids

Health-care providers in China are facing an exponential increase in HIV testing and HIV-positive patients. A total of 1101 service providers were recruited to examine attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in China. Logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with providers' attitudes toward mandatory HIV testing. Providers were most likely to endorse mandatory HIV testing for patients with high-risk behaviour and for all patients before surgery. Over 43% of providers endorsed mandatory testing for anyone admitted to hospital. Controlling for demographics, multivariate analyses indicated that providers with higher perceived risk of HIV infection at work, higher general prejudicial attitudes toward PLWHA, and previous contact with HIV patients were more likely to endorse mandatory HIV testing for anyone admitted to hospital. Results underscore the importance of implementing universal precautions in health-care settings and call attention to social and ethical issues associated with HIV/AIDS control and treatment in China.

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MASSER AF GRUNDE TIL USIKKER SEX: En undersøgelse af gode forklaringer

Tidsskriftet Antropologi ◽

10.7146/ta.v0i34.115306 ◽

1996 ◽

Author(s):

Anders Dahl

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behaviour ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Sexual Risk Taking ◽

Unsafe Sex ◽

Information Campaigns ◽

Culturally Informed ◽

New Strategy ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv Aids

Anders Dahl: Plenty of Reasons for Unsafe Sex. An Investigation of Good Explanations Information campaigns on HIV/AIDS have been running for more than ten years, but still it is difficult to demonstrate any changes in the sexual behaviour of the Danish population, except in regard of men who have sex with men. Analyses of dialogues of telephone counselling at the AIDS Hotline in Copenhagen give insights into the explanations that counselling-seeking persons themselves give conceming their unsafe sexual behaviour. It appears that safe sex is generally considered easy and simple, and therefore instances of unsafe sexual behaviour come to be regarded as “slips” and not as a pattem of behaviour. Choices of sexual behaviour are not determined by knowledge alone, but also by culturally informed personal experience and the context of the sexual act. The article points towards a new strategy in future HIV/AIDS-related work, putting greater emphasis on dialogue with people with risk behaviour, e.g. in connection with HIV-testing. The use of the data collected at the hotline demonstrates new paths in the difficult field of sex research. Also, it appears from the data that the study of the so-called risk groups for HIV is probably not the most useful way to reach an understanding of sexual risk taking, as reasons for unsafe sex transcend such groups.

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The Sydney 'PLAY IT SAFE' Program: An Evaluation of an HIV/AIDS Awareness Raising Program for Men from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds

Australian Journal of Primary Health ◽

10.1071/py97042 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 90

Author(s):

Chris Rissel ◽

Ann-Marie Elias-Schneider ◽

Julia Marthenas

Keyword(s):

Risk Behaviour ◽

Elevated Risk ◽

Educational Materials ◽

Migrant Communities ◽

High Profile ◽

Innovative Program ◽

Aids Awareness ◽

Aids Risk ◽

English Speaking ◽

Hiv Aids

The relatively low rates of HIV/AIDS in Australia can be attributed to extensive and well publicised prevention programs. However, it is not known if there are differential risks of HIV/AIDS for people from non-English speaking backgrounds, particularly given the reluctance in some migrant communities to discuss HIV/AIDS issues. An innovative program was implemented with soccer clubs in Sydney, which have a very high proportion of followers from non-English speaking backgrounds. Educational materials were distributed to male spectators at games, a high profile sticker and poster campaign was implemented and clubs supported the project in a number of ways after extensive liaison. Two hundred and one male spectators aged 18 to 50 years, and generally from non-English speaking backgrounds, were selected randomly (44% response rate) at three games and asked a series of questions about recall of project messages and HIV/AIDS risk behaviour. Recall of the project slogan 'PLAY IT SAFE' was high (66%) and significantly higher among frequent game attenders. Twenty per cent of respondents were considered at potentially elevated risk of HIV/AIDS, with older men and smokers significantly more likely to be at potentially elevated risk. Ethnicity was not associated with greater risk.

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Sexual Behaviour and HIV/AIDS Awareness among College Girls: A Case Study

Journal of Health Management ◽

10.1177/097206341201400207 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 175-182

Author(s):

Seema Agrawal

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behaviour ◽

Aids Awareness ◽

Hiv Aids

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A clinical study on genital warts and HIV in Bangladesh

International Journal of Scientific Reports ◽

10.18203/issn.2454-2156.intjscirep20175935 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 5

Author(s):

Md. Jakir Hossain ◽

Muhammad Afser Siddiqi ◽

M. Mostafizur Rahman ◽

Khairun Nahar Khan ◽

Ahmed Imtiaj

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Genital Warts ◽

Sexual Partners ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Multiple Sexual Partners ◽

Anal Warts ◽

Hiv Negative

Background: Like other sexually transmitted diseases (STD), ano-genital warts (AGW) is associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and this study of AGW was conducted among HIV positive and HIV negative patients. The aim of the study was to study the risk factors and clinical presentations of ano-genital warts in HIV infected patients.Methods: A comparative, cross-sectional, descriptive study of 25 HIV positive and 25 HIV negative (n=50) AGW patients between 15-60 years of both sex was conducted in Northern part of Bangladesh from July 2015 to December 2016. Results: Significant association of HIV positivity (p<0.05) was observed between age group of 15-30 years and HIV negative status (p<0.05) in age group of 31-45 years. HIV positive status significantly higher in patients with self-admitted multiple sexual partners (p<0.01), homosexuality (p<0.05) and presentation with anal warts (p<0.01). HIV negative status correlated significantly with single sexual partner admission (p<0.01) and hetero-sexuality (p<0.05). Gender did not show significant association with number of sexual partners or HIV positivity. Extra-genital or only genital warts had no association with HIV status. Co-STDs though more in number in seropositive group, did not show any significant association with HIV positivity (p>0.05). No patient presented with changes of malignancy. Four were adolescents below 19 years. Two patients had atypical presentations of giant condylomata i.e., Buschke-Lowenstein tumour (BLT).Conclusions: HIV positivity was significantly associated with the risk factors of age below 30 years, homo sexuality and multiple sexual partners. Anal warts were significantly common in HIV positive patients. Four adolescents with AGW underline the need for high risk behaviour counselling. No patient had malignant AGW. Follow up of these patients with human papilloma virus (HPV) sub-typing is necessary.

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Impact of HIV/AIDS Awareness on the Sexual Behaviour of Undergraduate Students

Journal of Health Science Research ◽

10.18311/jhsr/2017/18110 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

A Abdullahi ◽

S. D. Nwajei ◽

Nwose E. U. ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

Sexual Behaviour ◽

Aids Awareness ◽

Hiv Aids

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Assessment of HIV/AIDS awareness and changes in sexual practices among secondary school students in Nsukka environment

Tropical Doctor ◽

10.1258/004947507782333071 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

pp. 269-271

Author(s):

J M Okonta ◽

M A Momoh ◽

O I Ekwunife ◽

I S U Mbagwu ◽

S O Abali

Keyword(s):

Secondary School ◽

Sexual Behaviour ◽

Secondary School Students ◽

Sexual Practices ◽

School Students ◽

Aids Awareness ◽

Hiv Aids

This study is aimed at assessing the awareness of HIV/AIDS and changes in sexual behaviour among the Nigerian teens. Two hundred and fifty secondary school students were interviewed. Only 5% of the respondents were able to state the full meaning of HIV or AIDS. A minority (28%) believed that HIV was real while the majority (72%) believed that HIV infects whites only. Forty-eight percent of them have changed their sexual practices owing to the AIDS menace. A small percentage, 12%, believed that HIV/AIDS could kill. The study revealed low awareness of HIV/AIDS as well as misconception about the infection, especially in non-urbanized cities of Nigeria.

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