The unsafe sexual behavior of persons living with hiv/aids: An empirical approach to developing new hiv prevention interventions targeting hiv-positive persons

This study aimed to examine the psychosexual concerns of persons living with HIV in order to develop new HIV prevention interventions. In all, 106 persons living with HIV / AIDS in Minnesota completed an anonymous survey that examined risk behavior at time of infection, prediagnosis, and postdiagnosis; psychosexual concerns related to infection of others and living with HIV; and prevention services desired by persons living with HIV. Most participants knew the person who infected them; half were infected by long-term partners, and 29% were infected outside Minnesota. Median time from infection to diagnosis was 3 years, and from diagnosis to receiving HIV clinical services, 1 month. Suicidal thoughts, shutting down sexually, safer sex, and unprotected sex with HIV-positive individuals were common postdiagnosis behaviors. Twelve common reasons why persons became infected were cited. Since diagnosis, 24% reported unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse with a non-HIV positive partner, 37% reported infecting others prior to being diagnosed, and 13% reported infecting others postdiagnosis. Persons at high risk of transmitting HIV to others were younger, more sexually active, more sexually compulsive, less disclosing of their HIV serostatus, more self-perceiving as contaminated, and aware that safe sex was problematic for them. HIV prevention planning needs to target HIV-positive persons; 8 specific recommendations are made.