Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV among People Living with HIV : Should We Be Concerned?

Poor knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV among people with HIV (PLHIV) could worsen life quality. We aimed to investigate their STI and HIV knowledge, disclosure and undetectable = untransmittable (U=U). We proposed an anonymous questionnaire regarding STI and HIV to PLHIV attending ten Italian outpatient infectious diseases clinics. Moreover, disclosure and U=U were investigated. The calculated sample size was 178 people. Considering a missing response of 10%, the final sample size was 196. We enrolled 200 PLHIV (73.5% males), with a median age of 52.5 (IQR 41-59) years. The mean score was 7.61 ± 1.22 with no difference by gender, education, and employment. Significant statistical difference was observed by sexual orientation; bisexuals and those who preferred not to answer had a lower score than heterosexuals and MSM (p = 0.0032). PLHIV showed poor knowledge about HIV transmission (25% appropriately answered). Nearly 30% responded that virologically suppressed PLHIV could transmit the infection. Finally, 137 (68.5%) and 158 (79.0%) disclosed to the general practitioner and family and friends, respectively. Nearly 52.0% knew the meaning of U=U, and 83.6% highlighted its positive rebound. In conclusion, important knowledge gaps are present among PLHIV regarding U=U, and its implications are little-known. Improving PLHIVs' awareness will undermine self-stigma and enhance life quality.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2024

Erschienen:

2024

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:12

Enthalten in:

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) - 12(2024), 4 vom: 06. Feb.

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Colpani, Agnese [VerfasserIn]
De Vito, Andrea [VerfasserIn]
Zauli, Beatrice [VerfasserIn]
Menzaghi, Barbara [VerfasserIn]
Calcagno, Andrea [VerfasserIn]
Celesia, Benedetto Maurizio [VerfasserIn]
Ceccarelli, Manuela [VerfasserIn]
Nunnari, Giuseppe [VerfasserIn]
De Socio, Giuseppe Vittorio [VerfasserIn]
Di Biagio, Antonio [VerfasserIn]
Leoni, Nicola [VerfasserIn]
Angioni, Goffredo [VerfasserIn]
Giambenedetto, Simona Di [VerfasserIn]
D'Ettorre, Gabriella [VerfasserIn]
Babudieri, Sergio [VerfasserIn]
Madeddu, Giordano [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Disclosure
Education
HIV
Journal Article
Knowledge
PLHIV
People living with HIV
Prevention
STI
Survey
U=U

Anmerkungen:

Date Revised 25.02.2024

published: Electronic

Citation Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE

doi:

10.3390/healthcare12040417

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM368817768