Factors associated with HIV infection among family members and friends of people living with HIV/AIDS

Objective To explore the current status and related factors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among family members and friends of people living with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA). Methods Cross-sectional study by convenience sampling was adopted and family members and friends of PLWHA were recruited from the infection department of Guangzhou No.8 People's Hospital from March to June 2013. Self-designed questionnaire was used in this face-to-face survey. Results Among 192 family members and friends of PLWHA, 86.5% (166/192) were family members. The rate of HIV infection was 36.5% (70/192). Multivariate Logistic regressions analysis indicated that being married or in sexual relationship (OR=4.464, 95% CI:2.128-9.366), homosexuality or bisexuality (OR=4.523, 95% CI:1.676-12.209), and drug use (OR=6.755, 95% CI:1.720-26.528) were risk factors of HIV infection while emotional closeness (OR=0.229, 95% CI:0.097-0.539) was a protective factor. Conclusions Spouses or sexual partners of PLWHA had a higher probability of engaging in sex behaviors with PLWHA and were therefore at a higher risk of HIV infection than other relatives. However, spouses or sexual partners who were emotionally close to PLWHA had lower risks of HIV infection than their counterparts. Homosexuality/bisexuality and drug use still were risk factors of HIV infection. Further studies on the relationship between emotional ties with PLWHA and HIV infection of other relatives and friends except spouses or sexual partners are needed.