Treatment as prevention (TasP) and perceived sexual changes in behavior among HIV-positive persons: a French survey in infectious diseases departments in Paris

ABSTRACT

We evaluated awareness of treatment as prevention (TasP) among adults people living with HIV (PLHIV) in five infectious disease departments in Paris, then how they perceived its impact on their sexual well-being. This cross-sectional multicenter survey was conducted in 2014 during scheduled clinical appointments using a self-administered questionnaire. We analyzed 520 questionnaires (42% women, 54% men of whom 57% were MSM [men who have sex with men]). 75% of women were born abroad, most commonly in sub-Saharan Africa, whereas 64% of men were French-born. The mean time since HIV diagnosis was 12.8 ± 7.8 years. Eighty-seven percent [84−90%]_{95 %} reported being aware of the impact of ART on HIV transmission, 94% MSM, 86% women, 83% heterosexual men. PLHIV reported that they gained awareness of TasP through medical doctors (86%). The fear of transmission was perceived as alleviated for 73% [69%;78%]_95%, more often among MSM; the sexual life was reported to be improved for 28% [24%;33%]_95%; and ART adherence to be improved for 45% [40%;50%]_95%, more often among women. The awareness of TasP was relatively high, but it seems important to understand the features of male and female populations of PLHIV to adapt counseling during follow-up appointments, as women's answers differed in various regards.

KEYWORDS:

• TasP
• knowledge-attitudes-practice
• MSM
• heterosexual
• serodifferent couples

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.