Sexual behavior experience of former injecting drug users infected with HIV in Bali, Indonesia

Abstract

Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) have become a serious concern in public health due to their potential in HIV transmission. This study aims to describe the sexual behavior experience of former IDUs infected with HIV in Bali, Indonesia. A qualitative study with a phenomenology approach was conducted using purposive sampling. Five former IDUs infected with HIV were selected and analyzed using a thematic analysis. The finding showed two themes; (1) knowledge related to drugs and HIV/AIDS, and (2) risky sexual behavior which consisted of sex with many close friends and using local prostitutes, sex after a drug party or after using drugs, preference for vaginal sex, engaging in sex despite having a known HIV positive status, and not using condoms frequently. This finding can be used to recommend that nurses and other health care providers work collaboratively and comprehensively in preventing the new cases of HIV caused by the risky sexual behavior of the IDUs.