HIV super-infection beliefs and sexual practices of people living with HIV/AIDS
Seth C. Kalichman A B , Lisa Eaton A , Chauncey Cherry A , Moira O. Kalichman A , Howard Pope A , Denise White A , Christina M. Amaral A , Connie Swetzes A and Rene Macy AA Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
B Corresponding author. Email: seth.k@uconn.edu
Sexual Health 7(4) 420-424 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH09121
Submitted: 18 November 2009 Accepted: 6 April 2010 Published: 10 November 2010
Abstract
Background: People living with HIV can be reinfected with a new viral strain resulting in potential treatment resistant recombinant virus known as HIV super-infection. Individual’s beliefs about the risks for HIV super-infection may have significant effects on the sexual behaviours of people living with HIV/AIDS. HIV super-infection beliefs and sexual behaviours among people living with HIV/AIDS were examined in the present study. Methods: Three hundred and twenty men, 137 women, and 33 transgender persons completed confidential surveys in a community research setting. Results: A majority of participants were aware of HIV super-infection and most believed it was harmful to their health. Hierarchical multiple regressions predicting protected anal/vaginal intercourse with same HIV status (seroconcordant) partners showed that older age and less alcohol use were associated with greater protected sex. In addition, HIV super-infection beliefs predicted protected sexual behaviour over and above participant age and alcohol use. Conclusions: Beliefs about HIV super-infection exert significant influence on sexual behaviours of people living with HIV/AIDS and should be targeted in HIV prevention messages for HIV infected persons.
Additional keywords: sexual risk and protective behaviours, super-infections.
Acknowledgements
This project was supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) grants R01-MH71164 and R01-MH82633.
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