15th International AIDS Conference Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. ThOrC1414)

Shisana O, Simbayi L, Zuma K, Rehle T
HSRC, Cape Town, South Africa

BACKGROUND: Testing has been placed at the centre of HIV/AIDS prevention and care efforts and knowledge of serostatus is considered to be instrumental in reducing the spread of infection. The underlying assumption of this approach is that knowledge of HIV serostatus may lead to safer preventive practices. In this study, we investigate whether knowing one's HIV serostatus is associated with changes in preventive practices

METHOD: A national representative HIV/AIDS household survey has been conducted in South Africa in 2002. Interviewers administered a detailed questionnaire including information on demographic factors, preventive practices and awareness of HIV status. In addition, oral fluid specimens were collected and tested linked anonymously for the presence of HIV antibodies. The analysis presented here focused only on sexually active adults (n= 4090).

RESULTS: Awareness of HIV serostatus was significantly associated with having fewer number of sexual partners (odds ratio [OR]=0.57, 95% confidence int erval [CI]: 0.42 - 0.75); and discussing HIV prevention with a sexual partner (OR=1.5, 95%CI: 1.34 - 1.8). Women who were HIV positive and were aware of their serostatus were significantly more likely than those who were positive and were not aware of their serostatus to use condoms (55% vs 37.7%. Among HIV positive males the reported differences were statistically not significant (42% vs 30.5%. Among HIV negative study respondents who were aware of an HIV negative test result condom use was similar to those who were not aware of their serostatus. Conclusion Knowing one's HIV status may contribute to changes in preventive practices, most evident among people who are aware that they are HIV positive. Prevention programmes should continue to encourage people to test and know their HIV status.

040711
ThOrC1414

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