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Anti-retroviral Status and HIV Transmission Risk Behaviors are Associated with Age, Time Since Diagnosis, and Psychosocial Factors Among Women Living with HIV/AIDS Enrolling in the WILLOW Intervention at Community-Based Organizations

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Abstract

Safe sexual behaviors and anti-retroviral use help prevent HIV transmission. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed correlates of anti-retroviral (ART) status and transmission risk (a constructed variable) among a convenience sample of n = 1041 HIV-positive women (pre-intervention) enrolled in an evidence-based intervention at four CBOs. Multinomial logistic regression models were used. Younger women and those diagnosed with HIV in the last 5 years more often reported that they had not been prescribed ART. Self-reported non-adherence to ART was less frequently reported among women who were older, had a higher HIV knowledge, and those with attitudes/beliefs supportive of condom use. The highest-risk transmission group (condomless sex with HIV-negative/unknown partner and not prescribed or non-adherent to ART) was associated with younger age, attitudes/beliefs less supportive of condom use, and low self-efficacy discussing condom use. Our findings inform HIV prevention efforts among similar populations of HIV-positive women enrolled in interventions at CBOs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Public Health Analytic Consulting Services, Inc., 917 Craftsman Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, USA

    Weston O. Williams

  2. Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Tanesha Griffin & Gary Uhl

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  1. Weston O. Williams
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  2. Tanesha Griffin
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Correspondence to Weston O. Williams.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

Collection of these program evaluation data was determined to be non-human subjects research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Williams, W.O., Griffin, T. & Uhl, G. Anti-retroviral Status and HIV Transmission Risk Behaviors are Associated with Age, Time Since Diagnosis, and Psychosocial Factors Among Women Living with HIV/AIDS Enrolling in the WILLOW Intervention at Community-Based Organizations. AIDS Behav 22, 358–366 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-017-1967-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-017-1967-3

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