- HIV-positive persons -- Sexual behavior,
- HIV infections -- Risk factors,
- HIV infections -- Social aspects,
- HIV infections -- Reporting
Objective—To assess the role of sexual relationships on levels and patterns of adherence to medication for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) against HIV.
Methods—We enrolled 1,147 HIV-negative individuals in long-term serodiscordant relationships at three sites in Uganda from the Partners PrEP Study- a randomized placebo-controlled trial of daily oral tenofovir and emtricitabine/tenofovir. We used generalized estimation equations to assess the effects of sexual relationships on low adherence (
Results—Fifty-three percent were male, 51% were 18-34 years and 24% were polygamous. Participants who reported sex in the past month with someone other than their primary partner and with
Conclusions—Risk of low overall adherence was higher in participants who reported sex outside primary partnerships and suboptimal condom use, as well as in those who abstained from sex. Adherence gaps were common, potentially creating risk for HIV acquisition.
Author's version of a paper that subsequently appeared in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 2015 May 1; 69(1): 36–43. doi:10.1097/QAI.0000000000000538. Published by Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
At the time of writing, David Bangsberg was affiliated with Harvard School of Public Health, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.