HIV diagnosis and sexual risk behavior intentions among couple VCT clients in Ethiopia

Abstract

This research examines whether members of HIV affected couples are more likely to change their abstinence and condom intentions than members of HIV− couples during couple voluntary counseling and testing (VCT). A total of 1260 couple VCT clients in Ethiopia were asked about their sexual risk behavior intentions for the next two months after pre-test and post-test counseling. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine whether the couple's HIV status was associated with changed intentions to abstain or use condoms between pre-test and post-test. Individuals belonging to male HIV+ serodiscordant couples (aRRR = 7.98, p < 0.001), female HIV+ serodiscordant couples (aRRR = 5.85, p < 0.001), and HIV+ concordant couples (aRRR = 3.12, p = 0.05) were more likely to have increased their intentions to abstain or use condoms in the next two months than individuals in HIV− concordant relationships. The couple's HIV status was not associated with decreased intentions to abstain or use condoms in the next two months. Counseling for all HIV affected couples should include practical information on obtaining and using condoms. This includes HIV affected couples who intend to abstain from sex, whether for a short or long period of time, so that they are prepared to have protected sex if their intentions change.

Keywords:

• HIV
• voluntary counseling and testing
• couple
• Ethiopia
• condom
• abstinence

Acknowledgements

The Ethiopia VICS study received funding from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and The Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health.