Condom Use Consistency Associated With Beliefs Regarding HIV Disease Transmission Among Women Receiving HIV Antiretroviral Therapy

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Abstract
Objective:To ascertain whether condom use consistency is associated with beliefs regarding a decreased likelihood of HIV transmission as a function of taking antiretroviral therapy. Design:Cross-sectional analysis of HIV-positive women from Brooklyn (NY) enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) who were taking any form of antiretroviral therapy at the time of data collection. Methods:Between February and October, 1999, 145 HIV-positive eligible women participated in a structured, face-to-face interview. Interviews assessed attitudes and behaviors related to antiretroviral therapy and sexual risk behavior in the 6 months since a previous study visit. Results:Over three fourths of the study sample (77%) disagreed with a statement that being on antiretroviral therapy decreases the chances of transmitting HIV to others. After controlling for number of sexual partners and HIV serostatus of partners, women reporting no association between HIV therapy and disease infectiousness were over three times more likely to report consistent condom use (odds ratio [OR], 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-8.3; p < .05). Conclusions:Antiretroviral therapy may be associated with increased risk behavior when it is believed that regimens may decrease the risk of disease transmission. Education regarding potential deleterious consequences of inconsistent condom use should be part of ongoing HIV care. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Tracey E. Wilson, Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Box 1240, Brooklyn, NY, 11203 U.S.A. Manuscript received September 21, 2000; accepted March 21, 2001. © 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.