Changings in sexual life after HIV serodiagnosis: a comparison between men and women

Author(s)

Lígia Polistchuck

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP/CIR)
• Defense date: 2010-10-05

Examining board members

Ivan França Junior; Jose Ricardo de Carvalho Mesquita Ayres; Vera Silvia Facciolla Paiva

• Advisor: Ivan França Junior

Abstract

After Highly Active AntiRetroviral Treatment (HAART) became available, the sexuality of people living with HIV/Aids has been more frequently studied, especially focusing prevention and risk. Objectives: Describe sexual life of people living with HIV/Aids and identify the associations between worsening in sexual life after serodiagnosis and variables such as sociodemographic, related to sexual life, use of HAART, use and relation to healthcare services. Methods: The data came from two previous cross-sectional studies with 729 women and 250 men living with HIV/Aids in São Paulo (consecutive samples), carried out in two reference centers in the city, between September 1999 and February 2002. The answer to the question about changing in sexual life after the diagnosis of HIV/Aids in each questionary was rated and categorized as worsening or not. Comparison was done between men and women groups that showed worsening of sexual life after serodiagnosis. Associated factors were estimated by Poissons Multiple Regression. The tests were conducted with a 5 per cent significance level. Results: Men reported more negative changes in sexual life after diagnosis than women 59 per cent and 41 per cent, respectively (p<0.001). Associated factors for women were: experiencing pain or physical discomfort when being attended by healthcare services, not being attended by a nurse, difficulty in talking about sexual life with the gynecologist; desire to have children/being pregnant, absence of desire to have children and sexual abstinence. Negatively associated factors were: monthly income of 2-4 minimum wages, sexual infection for HIV. In men, the associated factors were: unemployment, moderate easiness to talk to a psychologist about sexual life. Negatively associated factors were; sexual partnership through life (at least 6), previous or current use of marijuana. Conclusions: The results seem to point out to a high programmatic vulnerability of women regarding the outcome, as well as individual and social vulnerabilities of men and women, that accompany specific gender scripts (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/07620-6 - Changings in sexual life after HIV-diagnosis: a comparison between men and women
• Grantee: Lígia Polistchuck
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master