Abstract:
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome
is one of the major public health problems throughout the world. Nowadays, antiretroviral treatment (ART) is available in health institutions and HIV-positive individuals who are eligible
for ART are taking it. But studies show reinfection of HIV is occurring in them for unknown
reasons.
Purpose: This study aimed to assess risky sexual practice and associated factors among
HIV-positive ART attendees.
Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed in ten randomly selected
health centers in Addis Ababa, between October 05 and November 05, 2013. Simple random
sampling technique was employed to select 376 respondents for face-to-face interviews from
ART registration book. After the data collection process, data were entered and analyzed using the
SPSS version 20 statistical package. Then the effect of each variable was observed by regression
analysis to identify the predictors for risky sexual practice at a significant level of P0.05.
Results: A total of 376 respondents were included in the study, with 100% response rate. The
mean age of the total respondents was 35.28±8.94 (standard deviation). Of the 376 respondents,
30.4% had a history of risky sexual practice, which was inconsistent condom use in the last
3 months prior to the study period. Factors associated with risky sexual practice included alcohol
consumption (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =2.01, 95% CI: 1.07, 3.77), being single (AOR =0.29,
95% CI: 0.15, 0.59) and widowed (AOR =0.32, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.77) respondents, and the gender
of the respondents, with an AOR of 1.55 (95% CI: 1.01, 2.33), shows a significant relationship
with risky sexual behavior.
Conclusion: Generally, a significant number (30%) of the respondents engaged in risky sexual
behavior; so health providers should encourage, support, and allow clients to effectively use
condoms during their sexual practice
