Sexual behaviours of HIV positive persons

Abstract

HIV/AIDS continues to spread throughout the world with Africa remaining the worst affected continent. While much has been written about the prevention of HIV/AIDS by practising safe sex at the individual level, less attention seems to have been devoted to the actual sexual behaviours of persons who know that they are HIV-positive. This article attempts to summarise research results as outlined in literature studies that investigated the sexual behaviours of HIV-positive persons, both those on antiretroviral therapy (ART) as well as those who are not on ART. The introduction of antiretroviral (ARVs) has introduced new risk factors in sexual practices, whereupon HIV positive people have wrong perceptions and expectations regarding ARVs. There is also a widespread belief that people with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV through sexual intercourse.