Page 262 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

HIV rISK BeHAVIOr n 229

for newly diagnosed persons who did not 2.7 million people were newly HIV infected
realize that they had engaged in a risk behav- (UNAIDS, 2009). This total number of HIV-
ior. Although vaccine development continues infected population was more than 20% H
to be a challenge, there is strong belief that a higher than the number in 2000, and the prev-
vaccine will become available and interdis- alence was roughly threefold higher than in
ciplinary research will be needed to explore 1990 (UNAIDS, 2009). This ongoing rise in
optimal delivery strategies to often invisi- the population with HIV/AIDS infection has
ble populations such as transgender youth made AIDS continue to be a major global
(Stieglitz, 2010). Stigma continues to be asso- health priority and highlighted the need to
ciated with an HIV diagnosis even in high continually advocate for the reduction of HIV
incidence settings with long established risk behaviors. Because an effective vaccine or
epidemics (Kalichman et al., 2009), and this cure for HIV/AIDS infection has still not been
stigma often results in nondisclosure and invented yet, developing effective behavioral-
compartmentalizing of treatment providers. change interventions to prevent or reduce the
Widespread adoption of electronic health key risk behaviors for HIV transmission is
records might break down some communi- extremely important. Nurses, with an oblig-
cation barriers if consumers believe that tech- atory role in providing quality health care for
nology will improve the quality of their care all, are cooperating with other professional
and health outcomes. perhaps one of the most disciplines and contributing to the preven-
pleasant surprises is that the number of older tion of HIV/AIDS infection.
people living with HIV/AIDS continues to HIV risk behavior generally refers to
grow because of effective treatment options the behaviors that lead to possible transmis-
and new infections. However, little research sions of HIV and increase the likelihood of
has examined the unique characteristics of having HIV infection. research up to date
older persons who are often living not only has identified that HIV is mainly transmit-
with HIV/AIDS but also diabetes, hyperten- ted through unprotected penetrative (vag-
sion, liver disease, and kidney issues and inal or anal) intercourse and oral sex with
who have significant social support issues an infected person; through blood transfu-
because many live alone (Nokes et al., 2011). sion with contaminated blood; by using con-
taminated syringes, needles, or other sharp
Kathleen M. Nokes instruments; and from an infected mother
to her child during pregnancy, childbirth,
and breastfeeding (UNAIDS, 2008). Among
these HIV risk behaviors, sexual contact is
Hiv risk BeHavior the major exposure to the HIV transmis-
sion in most reported AIDS-infected cases.
Studies to date have identified that unpro-
Since the recognition of AIDS and the iden- tected sexual intercourse, having multiple
tification of HIV as its contributing cause, sexual partners, and injection drug uses are
the population living with HIV worldwide the main risk behaviors for HIV transmis-
continues to increase and the HIV/AIDS pan- sion. Unsafe sexual behavior, risky sexual
demic remains a global plague that affects behavior, or sexual risk-taking behaviors are
people in almost every country. The United the terms commonly and widely used by
Nations program on AIDS/HIV (UNAIDS) scientists and researchers to represent sex-
reports that in 2009, more than 33 million ual activity or behavior that increases the
people were estimated to be living with HIV/ risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases,
AIDS globally, including approximately including HIV/AIDS infection, or becoming
2 million children and 15 million women, and pregnant. Because the tragedy of the HIV/