Faculty Collaboration Database

Protease inhibitor combination therapies and perceptions of gay men regarding AIDS severity and the need to maintain safer sex. AIDS 1998 Jul 09;12(10):F91-5

Date

07/24/1998

Pubmed ID

9677158

DOI

10.1097/00002030-199810000-00001

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0032500124 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   177 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Advances in the treatment of HIV disease with protease inhibitor combination therapies have been widely documented in the media.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate perceptions concerning the severity of HIV/AIDS and the need to maintain safer sex practices in the light of recent HIV treatment advances.

METHODS: A survey eliciting demographic characteristics, HIV serostatus and treatment information, and HIV/AIDS severity and safer sex perceptions was administered to a community sample of 379 homo-/bisexual men who reported awareness of combination therapy regimens.

RESULTS: Ten per cent of all respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that 'AIDS is now very nearly cured' and 13% felt that the threat of AIDS is less serious than in the past. HIV-positive men were more likely to perceive AIDS as a less serious threat or as very nearly cured. Overall, 8% of men in the sample indicated that they practice safer sex less often since new AIDS treatments came along; 18% of HIV-positive men on combination therapy regimens said they practice safer sex less frequently since treatments have advanced. Regardless of serostatus, nearly 20% of men indicated they would stop practicing safer sex if an AIDS cure was announced.

CONCLUSION: It is essential to integrate behavior change counseling into HIV treatment programs and to temper optimism concerning treatment advances with recognition that the threat of HIV/AIDS remains great.

Author List

Kelly JA, Hoffman RG, Rompa D, Gray M

Author

Jeffrey A. Kelly PhD Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Attitude to Health
Bisexuality
Drug Therapy, Combination
HIV
HIV Protease Inhibitors
Homosexuality, Male
Humans
Male
Midwestern United States
Risk Assessment
Sexual Behavior