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Sexual Risk and Intravaginal Practice Behavior Changes During Pregnancy.
Chloe A Teasdale1,2, Elaine J Abrams3,4, Mary Ann Chiasson4,5
1International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs (ICAP), Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th Street, Room 1319, New York, NY, 10032, USA. ct116@columbia.edu.
Archives of Sexual Behavior
|September 8, 2016
Summary
Pregnancy in Africa was linked to reduced sexual activity but increased unprotected sex, raising HIV and STI risks. Women also reduced other risky behaviors and intravaginal practices.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Pregnant women in some regions face high rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Understanding changes in sexual behaviors during pregnancy is crucial for preventing HIV and STI transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine alterations in sexual risk behaviors and intravaginal practices among women during pregnancy.
- To assess the potential contribution of these changes to HIV and STI incidence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Methods for Improved Reproductive Health in Africa study (2003-2006) in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
- Employed a crossover design with modified Poisson regression to compare behaviors in pregnant versus non-pregnant periods.
- Analyzed data from 483 HIV-negative women aged 18-45 who experienced pregnancy during the study.
Main Results:
- Pregnancy was associated with reduced frequency of sexual activity (fewer than 3 acts/week).
- Pregnancy increased the likelihood of sex without condoms (ARR 1.32; 95% CI 1.15-1.51).
- Pregnancy correlated with decreased reporting of other risky behaviors (anal sex, multiple partners, sex for money/drugs) and less intravaginal wiping.
Conclusions:
- Pregnancy leads to decreased overall sexual activity and some high-risk behaviors.
- However, pregnancy significantly increases the risk of engaging in unprotected sex, a key factor for HIV and STI transmission.
- Interventions addressing unprotected sex during pregnancy are vital for improving reproductive health outcomes in affected populations.
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