SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOR OF PLWHA IN THE WA MUNICIPALITY NANCY P. MORNAH (nancymornah@yahoo.com, +233205757005) SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, LEGON CO-AUTHOR: DR PRISCILLIA NORTEY SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOR OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) IN THE WA MUNICIPALITY NANCY P. MORNAH

OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION Background of study Objectives Methodology Results Conclusion Recommendations SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOR OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) IN THE WA MUNICIPALITY NANCY P. MORNAH

BACKGROUND Globally, about 36.9 million people are living with HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS, 2014) According to WHO (2014), there is an overall worldwide decline of HIV. Sexual transmission of HIV accounts for 80% of all HIV infections (UNAIDS, 2014) HIV situation in Ghana The national HIV prevalence records a linear descending trend from 3.6% in 2003 to 1.3% in 2014 2014 (Ghana AIDS Commission, 2014). In 2016 prevalence recorded was 2.4% (HIV Sentinel Survey, 2016) with varying regional prevalence. V.R & B.A.R records highest, 2.7% while N.R 0.7%

OBJECTIVES OF STUDY General objective To assess the prevalence of sexual risk behavior and contributing factors among PLWHA Specific objectives To determine the prevalence of condom use To determine multiple sexual partner relationships To determine factors associated with sexual risk behavior

METHODS Study design: cross sectional study- (qualitative and quantitative methods) Study area- Wa Regional Hospital Study population and size Study variables Sampling: Quantitative- convenience sampling Qualitative- Purposive sampling Data collection techniques: Administered questionnaire, FGD

RESULTS- background characteristics N: 382 PLWHA There were more females (61.8%) than males (38.2%). The ages of the participants ranged from 20- 54 years with a mean of 33.35 (SD 7.614) .The largest percentage (55.5%) belonged to the ≥ 31years of age group. A greater percentage (47.9%) had primary/JHS level of education Christianity was the predominant religion amongst participants with a total of 205 (53.7%). Of all the participants interviewed 161 had HIV positive partners (42.1%), 17.0% had negative partners and 40.8% did not know the status of their partners. Regarding ART usage, virtually all participants (98.2%) were taking the drug.

RESULTS Condom use among PLWHA (N= 358) and Multiple sexual partner relationships among PLWHA (N=382) During the six months preceding the study, 358 of participants were sexually active. A graph of frequency of condom use and multiple sexual partner relationship among PLWHA

RESULTS (factors associated with risk behavior) characteristics Unadjusted Odds Ratio, OR (95% CI) Sex (ref=male) 0.954 (0.577- 1.576) Marital status (ref=married) Widowed Divorced 0.275 (0.129- 0.584)* 0.333 (0.157- 0.706)* Level of education (ref=none) Secondary/Tertiary 1.709 (0.596- 2.450) Partner’s HIV status (ref=neg) Positive Don’t know 2.296 (1.209- 4.363)* 2.398 (1.253- 4.589)* HIV status disclosure to sex partner -NA Never disclosed 2.216 (1.293- 3.796)* ART related sexual desire changes (ref=reduced desire) Increased sexual desire 0.233 (0.085- 0.582)*

CONCLUSION The study unveiled a high prevalence (78.3%) of sexual risk behavior among PLWHA Though a higher proportion (75.13%) of PLWHA reported ever using condom, its consistency was low (20.67%). Significant relationship between some characteristics and risky sex behavior; Sex, marital status, partner’s HIV status, HIV status non- disclosure and ART.

RECOMENDATIONS Heightened sensitization on the use of condom by PLWHA in ART / Health facilities Education on single sexual relationships by Counselors at ART clinics Improved accessibility to condoms Stigma reduction interventions

END THANK YOU!