|
Changes in sexual behaviour after ART,
Kenya.
|
|
|
|
|
| Article Type: | Brief article |
| Subject: |
Sex
(Demographic aspects) Sex (Research) Risk-taking (Psychology) (Demographic aspects) Risk-taking (Psychology) (Research) Antiviral agents (Dosage and administration) |
| Pub Date: | 05/01/2010 |
| Publication: | Name: Reproductive Health Matters Publisher: Reproductive Health Matters Audience: General Format: Magazine/Journal Subject: Family and marriage; Health; Women's issues/gender studies Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2010 Reproductive Health Matters ISSN: 0968-8080 |
| Issue: | Date: May, 2010 Source Volume: 18 Source Issue: 35 |
| Topic: | Event Code: 310 Science & research Canadian Subject Form: Sexual behaviour; Sexual behaviour |
| Geographic: | Geographic Scope: Kenya Geographic Code: 6KENY Kenya |
|
|
|
| Accession Number: | 236247775 |
| Full Text: |
There is concern that sexual risk taking may increase with
antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, especially in the long run once
health improves and people increase sexual activity. In-depth interviews
were conducted with 23 sexually-active adults receiving ART in Mombasa,
Kenya--11 women and 12 men selected using stratified purposeful
sampling--to understand changes in sexual behaviour after treatment
initiation and factors influencing condom use. Advanced HIV disease had
previously led to marked decreases in sexual desire and function,
especially among men, which was somewhat reversed as health improved
with ART. After HIV testing, numbers of partners reduced and monogamous
relationships began to predominate. Receipt of ART strengthened these
changes, while improving sexual health. However, concurrent sexual
partnerships continued within polygamous marriage and unprotected sex
occurred with regular partners, even those who were HIV-negative. Those
who used condoms inconsistently prior to ART often remained inconsistent
users thereafter. While disclosure of HIV status appeared to increase
condom use, this did not always predict protected sex. In addition to
classic perceptions about the effect of condoms on intimacy and trust,
traditional gender roles, misconceptions about potential harm from
condoms and fertility desires hindered condom use. Both HIV testing and
receipt of ART appear to be key life stages, when respondents review and
change behaviour. Individualised risk-reduction interventions at these
times should be ensured. (1) (1.) Sarna A, Chersich M, Okal J, et al. Changes in sexual risk taking with antiretroviral treatment: influence of context and gender norms in Mombasa, Kenya. Culture, Health and Sexuality 2009;11(8):783-97. |
| Gale Copyright: | Copyright 2010 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. |
Previous Article: Beliefs about reduced infection risk on ART linked to
STIs.
Next Article: Male circumcision and risk of HIV in Australian homosexual men.
Next Article: Male circumcision and risk of HIV in Australian homosexual men.