Knowledge of HIV-Positive Status Reduces High-Risk Sexual Behavior

Meta-analysis results suggest that people tend to reduce their high-risk sexual behavior when they know that they are HIV-infected.

Approximately one quarter of all HIV-infected people in the U.S. do not know that theyare infected. In this meta-analysis of 11 independent studies conducted between 1988 and 2003, researchers evaluated whether knowledge of one’s own HIV-positive status was associated with a reduction in high-risk sexual behavior. Five studies compared the behavior of seroconverting individuals before and after they were notified of their HIV status (within-subject comparisons); the other studies compared the behavior of HIV-positive individuals who were or were not aware of their HIV status (between-group comparisons).

The prevalence of self-reported unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse was, on average, 53% lower in HIV-positive people who were aware of…

Reviewing Author

Salim S. Abdool Karim, MD, PhD

Knowledge of HIV-Positive Status Reduces High-Risk Sexual Behavior

Topics

Reviewing Author