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Sexual Risk Behaviors of Patients with HIV/AIDS over the Course of Antiretroviral Treatment in Northern Vietnam

Author

Listed:
  • Thuc Minh Thi Vu

    (Center for Research and Training, Tam Anh Hospital, 108 Hoang Nhu Tiep, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Victoria L. Boggiano

    (Berkeley School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Bach Xuan Tran

    (Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
    Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
    Vietnam Young Physician Association, 64 Ba Trieu, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Long Hoang Nguyen

    (School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Tung Thanh Tran

    (Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam)

  • Carl A. Latkin

    (Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Cyrus S. H. Ho

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore)

  • Roger C. M. Ho

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore)

Abstract

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves the health and well-being of people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, PLWH), and reduces their risk of transmitting the virus to sexual partners. However, patterns of sexual risk behavior among HIV-positive patients taking ART in Vietnam remain largely unknown. In this study, we sought to examine sexual risk behaviors and their associated factors among HIV-positive patients receiving ART in northern Vietnam. The socio-demographic characteristics, ART use, health status, and sexual behaviors of 1133 patients taking ART in the Hanoi and Nam Dinh provinces were explored through face-to-face interviews. There were 63.5% of patients who had one sex partner, while 3.6% and 5.6% of patients had sexual intercourse with casual partners or sex workers, respectively, in the previous 12 months. Most participants tended to use condoms more often with commercial sex partners (90.2%) and intimate partners (79.7%), and less often with casual partners (60.9%). Higher age (odds ratio, OR = 1.0; 95% CIs = 1.0, 1.1) or suffering pain/discomfort (OR = 1.7; 95% CIs = 1.2, 2.4) were factors more likely to be associated with multiple sex partners. Patients who were self-employed were more likely to have sexual intercourse with casual partners/sex workers (OR = 2.1; 95% CIs = 1.1, 4.0). Meanwhile, a higher score on the EuroQol visual analog scale (EQ-VAS), an unknown HIV stage, and a longer duration of ART were adversely associated with not using condoms with casual partners/sex workers. Patients with longer durations of ART had a lower likelihood of not using a condom with casual partners/sex workers (OR = 0.5; 95% CIs = 0.3, 0.8). Our study underscored a relatively high rate of unsafe sexual behaviors among HIV-positive patients. Continuing to improve the physical and psychological well-being of HIV-positive patients in Vietnam is important in reducing the spread of HIV via risky sexual behaviors. In addition, safe-sex education should be provided to older people, and to those who are self-employed.

Suggested Citation

  • Thuc Minh Thi Vu & Victoria L. Boggiano & Bach Xuan Tran & Long Hoang Nguyen & Tung Thanh Tran & Carl A. Latkin & Cyrus S. H. Ho & Roger C. M. Ho, 2018. "Sexual Risk Behaviors of Patients with HIV/AIDS over the Course of Antiretroviral Treatment in Northern Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:6:p:1106-:d:149585
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Quyen Le Thi Nguyen & Long Hoang Nguyen & Bach Xuan Tran & Huong Thi Thu Phan & Huong Thi Le & Hinh Duc Nguyen & Tho Dinh Tran & Cuong Duy Do & Cuong Manh Nguyen & Vu Thi Minh Thuc & Carl Latkin & Mel, 2017. "Co-financing for viral load monitoring during the course of antiretroviral therapy among patients with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam: A contingent valuation survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(2), pages 1-17, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hyunjean Kim & Yingxin He & Ryan Pham & Gira J. Ravelo & Patria Rojas & Pura Rodriguez & Grettel Castro & Noël C. Barengo & Juan M. Acuña & Elena Cyrus, 2019. "Analyzing the Association Between Depression and High-Risk Sexual Behavior Among Adult Latina Immigrant Farm Workers in Miami-Dade County," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-10, March.
    2. Khangelani Zuma & Leickness Simbayi & Nompumelelo Zungu & Sizulu Moyo & Edmore Marinda & Sean Jooste & Alicia North & Patrick Nadol & Getahun Aynalem & Ehimario Igumbor & Cheryl Dietrich & Salome Sigi, 2022. "The HIV Epidemic in South Africa: Key Findings from 2017 National Population-Based Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-11, July.
    3. Thieu Van Le & Thuc Thi Minh Vu & Anh Kim Dang & Giang Thu Vu & Long Hoang Nguyen & Binh Cong Nguyen & Tung Hoang Tran & Bach Xuan Tran & Carl A. Latkin & Cyrus S.H. Ho & Roger C.M. Ho, 2019. "Understanding Risk Behaviors of Vietnamese Adults with Chronic Hepatitis B in an Urban Setting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-10, February.
    4. Thu Minh Bui & Men Thi Hoang & Toan Van Ngo & Cuong Duy Do & Son Hong Nghiem & Joshua Byrnes & Dung Tri Phung & Trang Huyen Thi Nguyen & Giang Thu Vu & Hoa Thi Do & Carl A. Latkin & Roger C.M. Ho & Cy, 2021. "Smartphone Use and Willingness to Pay for HIV Treatment-Assisted Smartphone Applications among HIV-Positive Patients in Urban Clinics of Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.

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