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Sexual Health and Family Relationships Among Men Living with HIV Infections

Findley K, Uphold CR, Garzarella L. Sexual Health and Family Relationships Among Men Living with HIV Infections. Paper presented at: National Institute of Mental Health International Research Annual Conference; 2004 Jul 22; Atlanta, GA.

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Abstract:

Objectives: With advances in medical care, HIV infection is now considered a chronic disease and quality of life factors such as sexual health and family relationships have received renewed attention. The aims of this study were the following: (1) to describe the sexual health patterns of men with HIV infection, and (2) to examine the impact of sexual health on family relationships and perceived stress among men with HIV infection. Methods: Data were collected from 197 HIV men at 3 infectious disease clinics in southeastern United States, who were enrolled in a larger, prospective cohort study. The respondents ranged in age from 20 to 70 years with a mean of 45.7. Sexual health was measured by the 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IEF5) and two 10-point scales that asked men to rate their level of sex drive and their overall sex life. Subjects also answered open-ended questions followed as needed by probing questions to obtain detailed description about how stressful sexual difficulties were and how they impacted on family relationships. Results: Eighty-two men indicated that they were not having any current sexual relationships. The mean scores were 21.17 for the total IEF5, 5.9 for level of sex drive, and 5.4 for level of overall sex life. Data from the qualitative data indicated that men were trying to cope with their sexual difficulties by describing and then offering reasons for their problems (medications, HIV disease progression, other co-morbidities, psychological issues). A large percentage of men stated that sexual difficulties strained family relationships. Subjects stated that their sexual partners were often fearful of 'getting HIV' or had become 'disinterested in sex' as a result of HIV infection. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that a large number of men with HIV infection were not having sexual relationships. The means on all measures of sexual health were lower than that found in samples obtained from the general population. Our results highlight the importance of assessing and treating sexual difficulties during HIV infection and identify areas in which clinicians can intervene to improve family relationships.





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