2. SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOR OF PLWHA IN THE WA MUNICIPALITY
NANCY P. MORNAH ) 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

3. 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

4. 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 (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%

5. 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

6. 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

7. RESULTS- background characteristics
N: 382 PLWHA
There were more females (61.8%) than males (38.2%).
The ages of the participants ranged from years with a mean of (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.

8. 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

9. RESULTS (factors associated with risk behavior)
characteristics
Unadjusted Odds Ratio, OR (95% CI)
Sex (ref=male)
0.954 ( )
Marital status (ref=married)
Widowed
Divorced
0.275 ( )*
0.333 ( )*
Level of education (ref=none)
Secondary/Tertiary
1.709 ( )
Partner’s HIV status (ref=neg)
Positive
Don’t know
2.296 ( )*
( )*
HIV status disclosure to sex partner -NA
Never disclosed
2.216 ( )*
ART related sexual desire changes (ref=reduced desire)
Increased sexual desire
0.233 ( )*

10. 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.

11. 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

12. END
THANK YOU!