Is there risk compensation among HIV infected youth and adults 15 years and older on antiretroviral treatment in South Africa? Findings from the 2017 national HIV prevalence, incidence, behaviour and communication survey
Date
2022Author
Zungu, Nompumelelo
Mabaso, Musawenkosi
Igumbor, Ehimario
Metadata
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In this paper, risk compensation among individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART),
using the 2017 South African national survey on HIV, is explored. A multi-stage stratified cluster
random sampling approach was used to realize 11,130 participants 15 years and older. Logistic
regression analysis assessed the association between multiple sexual partners, condom use at last
sexual encounter, consistency of condom usage and potential explanatory variables using HIV status
and ART exposure as a mediator variable. HIV positive participants who were aware and on ART
were less likely to have multiple sexual partners, and less likely not to use a condom at last sex
compared to HIV positive participants who were aware but not on ART. The odds of reporting
multiple sexual partners were significantly lower among older age groups, females, non-Black
Africans, and rural settings, and higher among those with tertiary level education, and risky alcohol
users.