TY - JOUR
T1 - Acquisition of new sexual partners among women with HIV infection
T2 - Patterns of disclosure and sexual behavior within new partnerships
AU - Wilson, Tracey E.
AU - Feldman, Joseph
AU - Vega, Miriam Y.
AU - Gandhi, Monica
AU - Richardson, Jean
AU - Cohen, Mardge H.
AU - McKaig, Rosemary
AU - Ostrow, David
AU - Robison, Esther
AU - Gange, Stephen J.
PY - 2007/4
Y1 - 2007/4
N2 - This study describes the sexual behavior of HIV-positive women within new versus more established relationships and determines whether beliefs about HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) impact these behaviors. The Women's Interagency HIV Study is a longitudinal cohort study of HIV among women in the United States. Sexually active HIV-positive women (N = 1,090) completed interviews on beliefs and behaviors at 6-month intervals. Data were analyzed for the period between April 2002 and March 2003. Of 1,517 sexual partners reported, 32% were newly acquired within the previous 6 months. As compared with more established sexual relationships, newer partnerships were characterized by greater condom use consistency (odds ratio = 1.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.4 -2.3). Holding beliefs that ART is protective for HIV transmission impacted the relationship between partner type and condom use. In established relationships, 63% reported consistent condom use if they believed that ART is not protective, whereas 54% reported consistent condom use if they believed that ART is protective. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of ongoing support for sexual risk reduction among women with HIV-infection and for strategies that reduce the strength of relationships between ART beliefs and sexual risk behavior.
AB - This study describes the sexual behavior of HIV-positive women within new versus more established relationships and determines whether beliefs about HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) impact these behaviors. The Women's Interagency HIV Study is a longitudinal cohort study of HIV among women in the United States. Sexually active HIV-positive women (N = 1,090) completed interviews on beliefs and behaviors at 6-month intervals. Data were analyzed for the period between April 2002 and March 2003. Of 1,517 sexual partners reported, 32% were newly acquired within the previous 6 months. As compared with more established sexual relationships, newer partnerships were characterized by greater condom use consistency (odds ratio = 1.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.4 -2.3). Holding beliefs that ART is protective for HIV transmission impacted the relationship between partner type and condom use. In established relationships, 63% reported consistent condom use if they believed that ART is not protective, whereas 54% reported consistent condom use if they believed that ART is protective. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of ongoing support for sexual risk reduction among women with HIV-infection and for strategies that reduce the strength of relationships between ART beliefs and sexual risk behavior.
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U2 - 10.1521/aeap.2007.19.2.151
DO - 10.1521/aeap.2007.19.2.151
M3 - Article
C2 - 17411417
AN - SCOPUS:34247382483
SN - 0899-9546
VL - 19
SP - 151
EP - 159
JO - AIDS Education and Prevention
JF - AIDS Education and Prevention
IS - 2
ER -