Sexual practice of HIV-infected patients attending HIV clinic in lower northern Thailand
Sakchai Chaiyamahapurk
1Office of Disease Prevention and Control 9th , Phitsanulok
2 PhD. Candidaite , Health System and Policy, Faculty of Medicine, Naresuan university
Abstract
Positive prevention which focuses on prevention of HIV transmission from those already infected to another was raised as an issue for HIV prevention. Information about sexual behavior among HIV-positive individuals is crucial for program development, monitoring and evaluation. A survey using self-administered questionnaire was administered to HIV-infected patients who attend HIV clinics in 31 hospitals in 5 provinces of lower north of Thailand during August and November 2008. 1,160 patients who were sexually active during the past one year were enrolled in the study. 53% were female, mean age 37 years. 64 % have only primary education. 71% were married. Most were healthy (89%) and had taken antiretroviral drugs (89%). 53% knew their HIV status after being ill. For the means of HIV transmission, 59% believed that they were infected from their husband/wife or from lover. For sexual health service they got from hospital at last visit, 96% got advice on condom and 91% have enough condom. About their sexual behavior, 9% have no sexual partner during the last 3 month, 5% have more than one sexual partner. 18% have any unprotected sex during last 3 months. Unprotected sex significantly decreased with antiretroviral treatment, good drug adherence, having adequate condoms and counselor advice on disclosure to sexual partners and increased with nondisclosure of HIV status to sexual partner and believing that sexual partner should already be infected. Unprotected sex is highest in casual sex, boyfriend/girlfriends relationships and lowest in commercial sexual relationships. Partners whose HIV statuses were unknown face highest unprotected sex while partner with HIV-negative status face lowest unprotected sex. Many factors are related with unprotected sex which could be rectified to promote HIV prevention and control. Sexual health must be integrated and promoted in HIV care.
