AIDS as a secret
What is the sexual and information behavior of HIV-infected people towards changing or permanent partners? A sample of American scientists showed that about two-thirds of those infected maintained sexual contact and that about 40 percent of this group concealed their infection from some partners. A survey of 203 HIV-positive people showed that the majority of those infected did not abstain from sexual intercourse. Of those who remained sexually active and had not informed their partners about the infection, 57 percent also did not use condoms in some cases.
The Brown University scientists also tried to clarify the reasons for this behavior. The fear of rejection by the partner was mentioned first. Furthermore, social consequences such as a lack of sexual encounters or the loss of work and he alth services were mentioned. Some of the interviewees also tried to give the responsibility for protection to the respective partner.
According to this sample, women disclose their infection more frequently than men, people with only one sexual partner more frequently than those with numerous casual contacts. The detailed results of the study can be found in the Archives of Internal Medicine (February 9, 1998 issue).
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