Online Program

336667
Effect of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy on Risky Sexual Behaviors Among HIV Positive Individuals: A Systematic Review


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Tenesha Avent, MPH, Florida International University, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Department of Epidemiology, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Dudith Pierre-Victor, MPH, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Raed Bahelah, MPH&TM, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Department of Epidemiology, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Soumyadeep Mukherjee, MBBS, DPH, Department of Epidemiology, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Chelsie Anderson, MA, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Naomie Jean, MPH, Division of Research and Information and Data Coordinating Center, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL
Rachel Clarke, B.S., CHES, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Dept. of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Purnima Madhivanan, MBBS, MPH, Ph.D., Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL
background: There is concern that HIV+ individuals who receive Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) or Antiretroviral therapy (ART) may engage in risky sexual behaviors (RSB), thereby increasing the risk of HIV transmission to uninfected individuals.  Research evaluating the role HAART/ART leading to RSB has yielded inconsistent results. This systematic review summarizes the evidence if there is an increase in RSB among HIV+ individuals receiving HAART or ART. 

methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines using MEDLINE and five other databases for studies published between 2004 and 2013 without any language limits. Screening, data extraction and quality rating was conducted independently by two reviewers.

results: 49 articles were screened out of which 6 studies examined for RSB among HIV+ individuals while on HAART, and 13 examined the impact of ART. Although both sexes were less likely to engage in unprotected sex after receiving HAART, the decrease was greater for men (AOR: 0.33 [95% CI: 0.24–0.44]; p<0.0001) than for women (AOR: 0.71 [95% CI: 0.59–0.86]; p=0.0005). In comparison to HAART, those on preventive therapy were more likely to report multiple sex partners and having unprotected sex with regular partner.  Individuals on ART, were less likely to have unprotected sex with HIV- or unknown HIV-status partners.  

conclusions: The findings from our review suggest that there is no increase; and in RSB and in most cases, there was actually a decrease in sexual risk behaviors among HIV positive individuals post-HAART.

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention
Epidemiology
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Evaluate the evidence if there is an increase in risky sexual behaviors among HIV+ individuals receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy or Antiretroviral Therapy.

Keyword(s): HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a second year PhD student whom possess sufficient knowledge in the HIV/AIDS area. My background consist of identifying and recruiting high risk-women of reproductive age, pregnant women who are at risk of HIV infection, are HIV positive and/or substance abusers not receiving appropriate prenatal care among disadvantaged communities in Broward County Florida, providing education and counseling on HIV, STDs, and Family Planning Topics, and conducting pregnancy and HIV testing for high risk women.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4279.0: People Living With HIV/AIDS