High prevalence of risky sexual behaviour among key populations receiving antiretroviral therapy at a large HIV clinic in northern Uganda.

BACKGROUND

Risky sexual behaviour (RSB) among key populations pose a significant risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection but remains understudied.

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with RSB among key populations living with HIV (KPLHIV) in the post-conflict region of northern Uganda.

METHODS

We designed a cross-sectional study using secondary data, with the outcome as RSB defined as having multiple sexual partners, or condomless sex in the past 3 months, or sexual intercourse with a commercial sex worker in the past 3 months, or sexual intercourse under the influence of substance use in the past 3 months. We used modified Poisson regression to determine factors associated with RSB, reported as adjusted risk ratio (aRR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

We studied 165 participants and 122 (73.9%) reported RSB and this was more likely among heterosexual females (aRR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.54-3.71), the married (aRR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.42-2.49) or separated participants (aRR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.21-1.79), and transgender persons (aRR, 3.71; 95% CI, 2.05-6.71).

CONCLUSIONS

RSB is highly prevalent among KPLHIV in northern Uganda so they should be targeted with HIV prevention and behavioural interventions to prevent potential HIV transmission to the general population.