Factors influencing risky sexual behaviours of HIV-infected people on first-line antiretroviral therapy in Kigeme District Hospital, Rwanda: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that improved quality of life that follow antiretroviral therapy (ART) may be accompanied by increased sexual activity and risky sexual behaviour. Thus, this study aimed to determine the proportion of HIV infected people on first line ART who were sexually active, the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour defined as unprotected vaginal sex and factors influencing risk sexual behaviour among HIV-infected people on first -line ART in Kigeme District Hospital.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study with a quantitative survey method was conducted among 358 HIV infected people on first line ART and an adopted structured questionnaire was used for data collection. STATA version 13 was used for data analysis and binary logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted odd ratio (AOR) with a 95% CI.
RESULTS: Findings revealed that 68% of respondents were sexually active in the last 12 months of the interview and the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour among HIV infected people on the first line ART was 38%. Risky sexual behaviour was found to be significantly associated with age range of 30-40 year olds (AOR: 2.468, 95%CI: 1.007-2.046, P=0.048), having sex with HIV-positive partner ( AOR: 2.830, 95%CI: 1.351-5.928, P=0.006) and alcohol use prior to sexual activity (AOR: 2.347, 95%CI: 1.216-4.528, P=0.011).

CONCLUSION: The majority of HIV infected people receiving the first-line ART are sexually active and the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour is significant hence effort should be put forth to target this group. Reinforcing behaviour change communication and discouraging alcohol use among HIV infected people receiving the first-line ART is recommended.

Keywords
Risky sexual behaviour, HIV-infected people; first line ART; Kigeme District Hospital