Is care and support associated with preventive behaviour among people with HIV?

Abstract

Care and support should play a critical role in assisting people who are HIV-positive to understand the need for prevention and to enable them to protect others. Differences in sexual risk reduction among 154 newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals from semi-urban Tanzania were examined using a randomized control design, which assigned a control group to regular health services and an experimental group to enhanced care and support. Data were collected at baseline, three months and six months on self-reported sexual risk behaviours, disclosure of serostatus, reproductive health and psychosocial support. Over the six-month period, significant risk reduction occurred among both groups, with most of the behaviour change occurring during the first three months, e.g. 86 respondents (56%) reported condom use at last intercourse at 3 months compared with 24(16%) at baseline (p = 0.05). Extra care and support did not lead to increased risk reduction among the experimental group. The study population as a whole significantly changed their behaviour, suggesting that in the short term, learning one is HIV-positive has an impact on risk reduction.

Behavioural interventions for HIV positive prevention in developing countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…2). [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] These 18 articles reported on 19 studies, as one article described both an individual and a couples-based intervention. 32 Of the studies included in the review, 15 were conducted in sub-Saharan African countries, 1 in Asia (China), 1 in South America (Brazil), and 2 (reported in one article) in three countries (Kenya, United Republic of Tanzania and Trinidad and Tobago).…”

“…34,[36][37][38][39][40]42 Pooled, these data show a strong and significant effect on condom use (OR: 7.84; 95% CI: 2.82-21.79) (Fig. 5).…”

“…Four studies measured condom use following counselling and group education among HIV+ heterosexual adults. [36][37][38]40 Pooled data from these studies (n = 1489) show a trend towards increased condom use associated with the intervention, but this trend did not reach significance (OR: 2.08; 95% CI: 0.93-4.62; P = 0.074). The Q statistic of 40.56 showed statistically significant heterogeneity (P = 0.0001; I 2 = 92.60).…”

“…[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] All of the latter studies evaluated HIV counselling and testing interventions. Studies with HIV+ heterosexual adults all evaluated counselling and group education interventions, although 2 also included HIV care and treatment.…”

“…Studies with HIV+ heterosexual adults all evaluated counselling and group education interventions, although 2 also included HIV care and treatment. 36,40 For this objective, three outcomes were measured across multiple studies: condom use, multiple sex partners and HIV disclosure.…”