B.O. Olley, K O. Adebayo, M.J Ogunde, Odeigah.W (2016) Sexual Activity and Unprotected Sex Among Treatment Seeking HIV/AIDS Patients: A Multi-Site Study in Nigeria. Int J
AIDS Res. 3(3), 54-58.
54
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International Journal of HIV/AIDS and Research (IJHR)
ISSN 2379-1586
Sexual Activity and Unprotected Sex Among Treatment Seeking
HIV/AIDS Patients: A Multi-Site Study in Nigeria
Research Article
B. O. Olley
1*
, K O. Adebayo
2
, M.J Ogunde
1
, Odeigah.W
1
1
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
2
Department of Psychiatry, Ladoke Akintola University of technology, Teaching Hospital, Oshogbo, Nigeria.
Introduction
Unprotected coital sex, in spite of HIV infection is a common
activity among HIV-positive patients [1]. Consequently there have
been reported new infections of HIV and emergence of different
HIV strain or strains, which are resistant to antiretroviral drugs
that potentially have been linked to increasing levels of sexual risk
behaviors (SRB) among patients [2, 3] .
Evidence from meta-analyses suggests that SRB is generally a
common phenomenon among HIV patients on antiretroviral
therapy (ART) [4-6]. Though with mixed results, where it was
shown that ART does not necessarily increase sexual activity in
patients [2], a signiicant reduction in unprotected sex, having
multiple sexual partners and unprotected sex with HIV negative
or unknown HIV status have been observed among patients on
ART [4-6] .
Studies outside Sub Saharan Africa suggested that certain socio
demographic factors are associated with unprotected sex in HIV
infection [7-9]. Some of the indings have been inconsistent;
while being married and in long-term union have been associated
with unprotected sex among HIV patients, other studies found
that, unprotected sex was more common in unmarried as well as
in HIV patients who had casual relationships [7-9].
Similar pattern exist among some sub-Saharan studies [10-
13]. A study in South Africa, found 54.4% rate of unprotected
sex among sexually active newly diagnosed HIV patients [13].
Unprotected sex was related to shorter duration of illness, having
a partner, lack of knowledge of their partners HIV status, coping
styles characterized by denial and use of substance [13].
A few studies in Nigeria have been mixed in terms of the factors
associated with unprotected sex [14-23]. For example while, the
initial study found that higher education and being married are
*Corresponding Author:
B O Olley
Department of Psychology, Faculty of the Social Sciences,
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
E-mail: Olley28@yahoo.com
Tel: +234-8122709971
Received: March 29, 2016
Accepted: April 12, 2016
Published: April 16, 2016
Citation : B.O. Olley, K O. Adebayo, M.J Ogunde, Odeigah.W (2016) Sexual Activity and Unprotected Sex Among Treatment Seeking HIV/AIDS Patients: A Multi-Site Study in Nigeria.
Int J AIDS Res. 3(3), 54-58. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.19070/2379-1586-1600014
Copyright: B O Olley
©
2016. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution
and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Sexual activity without protection predisposes HIV infected individuals to re-infection of different strains and faster pro-
gression to AIDS. With advance treatment and sense of well being, sexual activities among patients, continues. The present
study using a multivariate design examined prevalence of sexual activity, unprotected sex and associated factors. HIV related
factors (e.g.; drug use combination; knowledge of duration of HIV diagnosis) and Socio demographic factors (e.g.; multiple
spouse; age, gender, ethnicity) were involved in a model of unprotected sex among HIV/AIDS patients seeking treatment in
three tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria. Five hundred and two, (187(37.3%) males and 315 (62.7%) females) HIV/AIDS patients
participated in the study. Mean age and mean time in months since diagnosis were 36.73 ± 9.38; 19.42 ± 23.12 respectively.
Two hundred and sixty four (48%) were sexually active. One hundred and ifty three (58%) engaged in unprotected sex. Two
variables: educational status and marital status were related to unprotected sex at (p<0.05). Median differences with Kruskal-
Wallis H tests showed highest level of education, p = 0.018), and being currently married, p = 0.009 were associated with
unprotected sex. Intervention to reduce unprotected sex among married patients with higher education should evolve among
PLWHAs in Nigeria.
Keywords: Sexual Activity, Unprotected Sex, HIV/AIDS, Patients.