One of the anxieties in relation to ‘treatment as prevention’ is that it may discourage people with HIV from using condoms and other prevention methods. However, a meta-analysis has found no increase in risk taking in people who are taking antiretroviral treatment, compared to other people with HIV. In fact, people on treatment had less unprotected sex and fewer sexually transmitted infections.
The study by Joseph Doyle and colleagues was presented to the 7th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Kuala Lumpur this week.
One important caveat is that the researchers examined studies from all parts of the world and at any time since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy, with only some of them gathering data in recent years. However, understandings of the meanings and benefits of taking HIV treatment are changing. No studies related to people specifically prescribed antiretrovirals for prevention purposes.
Roger Pebody
aidsmap
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