Open AccessSexual Behavior of HIV-Positive Women in Cameroon
Author(s) -
Noella M. Njabanou,
Julius Atashili,
Dora Mbanya,
Enow Robinson Mbu,
George Mondinde Ikomey,
Charles Kefie,
Thompson Kinge,
Dorothee Etogo,
Adaora A. Adimora,
Peter M. Ndumbe
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of the international association of providers of aids care (jiapac)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2325-9582
pISSN - 2325-9574
DOI - 10.1177/1545109711421640
Subject(s) - medicine , condom , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , demography , sexual intercourse , sexual behavior , sexually active , hiv diagnosis , cross sectional study , gynecology , obstetrics , population , antiretroviral therapy , clinical psychology , family medicine , viral load , environmental health , pathology , sociology , syphilis
This study aimed at describing the sexual behavior of HIV-positive women in Cameroon. In a cross-sectional study, 282 HIV-infected women were enrolled in 3 HIV-treatment clinics in Cameroon. Of the 282 participants, 257 had been diagnosed with HIV for more than 6 months. Approximately half (46.8%) of these 257 women reported no sex partners in the 6 months before the study; 42.9% had 1 partner; and 1.5% had more than 1 partner. There was a significant decrease in the number of partners, new partners, and an increase in condom use with these partners following HIV diagnosis ( P value < .05). However, more than half (55.2%) of the sexually active participants reported inconsistent or no condom use during sexual intercourse. Although HIV-positive women tend to adopt less risky behavior after HIV diagnosis, a substantial proportion of sexually active ones still have risky behaviors. Reinforcing risk reduction programs for these women is imperative.
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