Continued high-risk sexual behaviour among HIV-positive people in Wales

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 737-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary R Browning ◽  
Meirion R Evans ◽  
Clive M Rees

The study objective was to investigate self-reported sexual practices among HIV-positive people in Wales in order to estimate the extent of unprotected sex and to develop services that assist positive people reduce the risk of sexual spread of HIV. A cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey was conducted between February and July 1999 at all open-access HIV outpatient facilities in Wales. All HIV-positive people attending during the study period were invited to enrol in the study. Data were obtained on 104/141 (74%) enrolled patients including 70 (67%) homo/bisexual men. Most (79/104, 76%) were sexually active and 42% (33/79) had casual partners. One in six (13/79, 16.5%) sexually active people reported unprotected high-risk sex with HIVnegative or unknown status partners, the majority (9/13, 69%) of whom were male homosexuals. It is important that health professionals specifically address issues of sexual behaviour with HIV positive people during consultation. A renewed safer sex campaign targeting men who have sex with men is urgently needed.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
David Aduragbemi Okunlola ◽  
Oluwatobi Abel Alawode ◽  
Obasanjo Afolabi Bolarinwa ◽  
Ifedapo Ojo Agbeja ◽  
Abayomi Folorunso Awoyele

This study sought to identify the socio-demographic, economic, and psychological factors associated with risky sexual behaviour among sexually active youths in Nigeria with the view to providing more empirical information for the development of more effective interventions to improve safe-sex practices and the sexual health of the young people in Nigeria. The study analyzed the male and female datasets extracted from the 6th round of the Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey data (MICS) (n=7,909) using descriptive statistics and multiple binary logistic regression to achieve the study objectives and test hypothesis. The results showed that 66% of the youths have had sex before reaching 18 years, 77% had unprotected sex, and 32% have had more than one-lifetime sexual partner. The significance of the association between socio-demographic (age, sex, marital status, ever fathered/mothered, awareness of AIDS, ethnicity, residence, and region), economic factors (employment status and wealth index), and risky sexual behaviour differ by the category of risky sexual behaviour. Overall psychological factor (satisfaction with life) was a significant correlate of the lifetime number of sexual partners. This study concludes that socio-demographic, economic, and psychological factors were predictive of risky sexual behaviour among young people in Nigeria. However, the significance of these predictors differs by type of risky sexual behaviour. The study recommends that more effective sexual health interventions must also address the prevalent psychological risk factors among young people in Nigeria- apart from different background characteristics- which could predispose them to risky sexual practices.


2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2020-054768
Author(s):  
Iain Hyndman ◽  
Diarmuid Nugent ◽  
Gary George Whitlock ◽  
Alan McOwan ◽  
Nicolò Girometti

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions have affected attendance to and delivery of UK sexual healthcare services (SHS). We surveyed the impact on sexual behaviour of men having sex with men (MSM) to inform future SHS provision.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous, web-based survey among HIV-negative MSM at high risk of HIV infection who attended 56 Dean Street, a sexual health and HIV clinic. The survey was conducted over a 7-day period in August 2020. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviour and related mental well-being experienced during lockdown (defined as 23 March–30 June 2020) were extracted. Categorical and non-categorical variables were compared according to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use.Results814 MSM completed the questionnaire: 75% were PrEP users; 76% reported they have been sexually active, of which 76% reported sex outside their household. 75% reported fewer partners than prior to lockdown. Isolation/loneliness (48%) and anxiety/stress (27%) triggered sexual activity, and 73% had discussed COVID-19 transmission risks with their sexual partners. While 46% reported no change to emotions ordinarily experienced following sex, 20% reported guilt for breaching COVID-19 restrictions. 76% implemented one or more changes to their sexual behaviour, while 58% applied one or more steps to reduce COVID-19 transmission during sex. 36% accessed SHS and 30% reported difficulties in accessing testing/treatment. Of those who accessed SHS, 28% reported an STI diagnosis. PrEP users reported higher partner number, engagement in ‘chemsex’ and use of SHS than non-PrEP users.ConclusionsCOVID-19 restrictions had a considerable impact on sexual behaviour and mental well-being in our survey respondents. High rates of sexual activity and STI diagnoses were reported during lockdown. Changes to SHS provision for MSM must respond to high rates of psychological and STI-related morbidity and the challenges faced by this population in accessing services.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e033290
Author(s):  
Karel Blondeel ◽  
Sonia Dias ◽  
Martina Furegato ◽  
Armando Seuc ◽  
Ana Gama ◽  
...  

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.


Author(s):  
Krishna C. Poudel ◽  
Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar ◽  
Paula H. Palmer ◽  
Tetsuya Mizoue ◽  
Masamine Jimba ◽  
...  

In Asian concentrated HIV epidemics, data on coinfection of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among HIV-positive individuals are limited. The authors measured the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhea (NG), and syphilis, and their correlates among 319 HIV-positive individuals in Kathmandu, Nepal. The authors tested blood samples for syphilis and urine samples for CT and NG. Overall, 17 (5.3%) participants had at least 1 STI (CT: 1.3%, NG: 2.8%, and syphilis: 1.2%). Of 226 participants who had sex in past 6 months, 51.3% did not always use condoms. Older (aged 35-60 years) participants were more likely (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.83; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.19-12.33; P = .024) and those who were currently married (AOR = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.09-0.97; P = .046) or on antiretroviral therapy (AOR = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.06-0.71; P = .012) were less likely to have at least 1 STI. Our results suggest the need to strengthen the efforts to screen and treat STIs and to promote safer sexual practices among Nepalese HIV-positive individuals.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 65-72
Author(s):  
Rita Karki

The nature of profession of sex trade is multi partnered which leads the sex partners to unprotected sex. This study aims to explore the knowledge and experiences of STIs, practice and use of condom, reasons of not using it regularly and addiction situations among the street based female sex workers (SFSWs) in Kathmandu Valley. This study is a non-experimental research based on cross-sectional design. Mixed method was used to collect information with 110 SFSWs selected by using snow ball sampling techniques and presented descriptively after arranging in different themes. Among the SFSWs, 64.5 percent experienced STIs and 69 percent of them were unable to use condoms regularly. Most of the sex workers agree to unprotected sex when they are offered extra money and forced for sex by clients without condom, and another reason was lack of skill on SFSWs in using it properly. Knowingly or unknowingly SFSWs, clients and their life-partners are being victimized from practicing of risky sexual behaviour. The study suggests that touchy and broad awareness programs and compulsory rule to use male condom from clients’ side within safer indoor work space could be effective in helping to assure satisfying and safe sex.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 422-449
Author(s):  
María Badillo-Viloria ◽  
Xilene Mendoza-Sánchez ◽  
Marisol Barreto Vásquez ◽  
Anderson Díaz-Pérez

Introducción: Adolescentes y adultos jóvenes participan frecuentemente en comportamientos sexuales riesgosos (relaciones sexuales sin protección, sexo con parejas casuales, promiscuidad, iniciación sexual temprana, etc.), trayendo consigo embarazos no planeados, Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual, suicidios, abortos, afectaciones académicas y laborales. El objetivo del estudio, fue identificar los comportamientos sexuales riesgosos y factores asociados en estudiantes de una universidad en Barranquilla, 2019. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de tipo descriptivo-correlacional de corte transversal, se utilizó la Encuesta de Riesgo Sexual, que evaluó comportamientos sexuales riesgosos en universitarios de Barranquilla, en los últimos seis meses, se generaron los coeficientes de correlación Chi cuadrado de Pearson (nivel de confianza 95%; p≤0.05) para medir la asociación entre los puntajes de riesgo sexual y factores sociodemográficos y académicos. Resultados: El 63% de los participantes inició actividad sexual antes de los 18 años. 87% han participado una o más veces en comportamientos sexuales de riesgo: sexo vaginal sin condón (73%), fellatio sin condón (60.3%), número de parejas con quién tienen comportamientos sexuales (66.2%) y experiencias sexuales inesperadas (54.4%). Los hombres y estudiantes de Derecho tenían puntajes de riesgo sexual más altos que las mujeres y los estudiantes de Enfermería. Conclusión: Los universitarios están en riesgo y participando en comportamientos sexuales riesgosos, que podrían afectar su salud y proyecto de vida. Los factores de mayor riesgo fueron; sexo temprano, género, edad >20 años, prácticas sexuales arriesgadas como el sexo vaginal, oral y anal sin protección y conductas sexuales impulsivas y no planificadas. Introduction: Adolescents and young adults are frequently involved in risky sexual behavior (unprotected sex, sex with casual partners, promiscuity, early sexual initiation, etc.) bringing with them, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, suicides, abortions, academic and labor affectations. The objective of the study was to identify risky sexual behaviors and associated factors in students at a university in Barranquilla, 2019.Materials and methods: Study descriptive-correlational cross-sectional, the sexual risk survey was used, which evaluated risky sexual behavior in university students of Barranquilla in the last six months, were generated correlation coefficients Chi-square Pearson (95% confidence level; p≤0.05) to measure the association between sexual risk scores and sociodemographic and academic factors.Results: 63% of participants initiated sexual activity before the age of 18. The 87% have participated one or more times in risky sexual behaviors: vaginal sex without a condom (73%), fellatio without a condom (60.3%), number of partners with whom they have sexual behaviors (66.2%) and unexpected sexual experiences (54.4%). Men and law students had higher sexual risk scores than women and nursing students.Conclusion: The university students are at risk and participating in risky sexual behavior, which could affect their health and life Project. The major risk factors were; early sex, gender, age >20 years, risky sexual practices such as vaginal, oral, and anal unprotected sex and impulsive and unplanned sexual behaviors.


Author(s):  
Sónia Dias ◽  
Ana Gama ◽  
Ana Maria Tavares ◽  
Vera Reigado ◽  
Daniel Simões ◽  
...  

Sub-Saharan African migrants (SSAMs) have been disproportionately affected by infectious disease burden. We aimed to identify correlates of HIV, past sexually transmitted infection (STI) and past Tuberculosis infection (TB), as well as examine HIV seropositivity unawareness and testing history among SSAMs. A venue-based sample of 790 SSAMs completed a cross-sectional biobehavioral survey on sexual practices, HIV testing and self-reported infectious diseases; an HIV rapid test was offered. Overall, 5.4% of participants were HIV-positive and 16.7% reported a past STI. Odds of being HIV positive or having a past STI were higher among participants with low socioeconomic status and who experienced violence from a partner. Increased odds of having a past STI were also found among long-term migrants and those who reported sexual risk behaviors. In total, 4.1% of participants had TB in the past; these were more likely male and HIV positive. Unawareness of HIV-positive status was notably high (35%). Half of the participants had never been tested for HIV before, including over a third of those who had STI or TB in the past. Efforts are needed to reduce missed opportunities for HIV/STIs prevention and uptake of HIV testing among SSAMs through more integrated care, while addressing social determinants of infectious diseases.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Tomkins ◽  
Roberto Vivancos ◽  
Chris Ward ◽  
Merav Kliner

Reports of sexualised drug taking (chemsex) have increased significantly in recent years. There is currently limited intelligence on chemsex outside of London. An anonymous survey was promoted via several sources including voluntary services and a sexual health clinic in order to establish the risks associated with chemsex, and how support services can best be tailored to meet the needs of those in Greater Manchester, UK. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected on demographics, drug use, sexual practices and barriers and facilitators to accessing support. Fifty-two men who have sex with men completed the online survey. Thirty-nine (75%) were HIV-positive and 11 (21%) were hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive, all of whom were HIV/HCV co-infected. The most commonly used drugs were mephedrone (81%) and gamma hydroxybutyrate/gamma butyrolactone (79%). Nineteen (37%) reported ever injecting drugs. High-risk sexual practices were reported by respondents. Barriers to accessing support included a fear of being recognised. Findings demonstrate those engaging in chemsex are participating in a number of high-risk sexual practices, taking substances with significant risks and administering these substances in potentially high-risk ways. Results demonstrate the need for promotion of existing services, with key areas to target where chemsex sessions are most commonly arranged. Results may be useful in other metropolitan cities, both for commissioning and tailoring of chemsex support services.


1992 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Dawson ◽  
Ray Fitzpatrick ◽  
Mary Boulton ◽  
John McLean ◽  
Graham Hart

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