Gender differences in sexual behaviour among people living with HIV in Chennai, India.
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Date
2009-06
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Abstract
Background & objectives: Risky sexual behaviour is usually the focus of HIV prevention programmes
and little attention has been given to sexual behaviour patterns among HIV positive individuals. In order
to ensure that people with HIV receive high quality sexual and mental health services, providers must
have a comprehensive understanding of the issues and challenges faced by men and women with HIV.
This study was conducted to gain insight into the gender differences in sexual behaviour patterns among
HIV seropositive men and women in south India.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study on a cohort of 203 seropositive patients (102 women and
101 men) attending outpatient clinics in the Tuberculosis Research Centre and the STD clinic of the
Government General Hospital, Chennai, India. A semi-structured interview schedule was administered
to collect information from the respondents.
Results: Fifty three per cent of the women were discontented with the sexual relationship with their
spouse as compared to 23 per cent of the men (P<0.001). Thirty two of the 54 women who refused sex
said that their spouses reacted violently to their refusal. More men than women reported to having
extramarital relationships most often with a commercial sex worker or a friend, without condoms and
usually under the infl uence of alcohol.
Interpretation & conclusions: There are gender differences in sexual behaviour patterns among men and
women. Understanding these differences is important to plan gender based intervention strategies in
order to ensure that people living with HIV have a better quality of life, addressing their sexual concerns
both within and outside of marriage. The fi ndings will also help in advocacy and prevention programmes
aimed at HIV/AIDS control.
Description
Keywords
Gender, HIV/AIDS, sexual behaviour
Citation
Thomas B E, Chandra S, Selvi K J A, Suriyanarayanan D, Swaminathan Soumya. Gender differences in sexual behaviour among people living with HIV in Chennai, India. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2009 June; 129(6): 690-694.