학술논문
Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV among People Living with HIV: Should We Be Concerned?
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Colpani A; Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy.; De Vito A; Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy.; Zauli B; Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy.; Menzaghi B; Division of Infectious Diseases, 'Ospedale di Circolo', 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy.; Calcagno A; Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10123 Torino, Italy.; Celesia BM; Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy.; Ceccarelli M; Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy.; Nunnari G; Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy.; De Socio GV; Unit of Infectious Diseases, Santa Maria Hospital, 06129 Perugia, Italy.; Di Biagio A; Infectious Diseases Clinic, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino Hospital, 16132 Genoa, Italy.; Leoni N; Unit of Infectious Disease, SS Trinità Hospital, 09121 Cagliari, Italy.; Angioni G; Unit of Infectious Disease, SS Trinità Hospital, 09121 Cagliari, Italy.; Giambenedetto SD; Infectious Diseases Unit, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.; D'Ettorre G; Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy.; Babudieri S; Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy.; Madeddu G; Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
Source
Publisher: MDPI AG Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 101666525 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 2227-9032 (Print) Linking ISSN: 22279032 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Healthcare (Basel) Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2227-9032
Abstract
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.