Sexual Behaviour, Needs and Concerns Regarding Sexual and Reproductive Health among Adults Living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa- A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background:  The sexual and reproductive health of people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa should be of paramount importance and, therefore, given the attention it deserves. The advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and subsequent access to it has aided millions of infected people to live a normal life. However, being on ART is not enough as most of these people despite being on the therapy are faced with needs and concerns that have shaped their sexual behaviour. This review aims to bring to perspective the sexual behaviour, needs, and concerns regarding the sexual and reproductive health of adults living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with a view to reducing the disease's ultimate burden in the region. Method: An extensive search of articles was carried out using the reporting systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA). The database search was from JSTORE, Scopus, Google Scholar, Medline, Cochrane, Semantic scholar, and Pubmed. Results: A total of 3,984 results were obtained from the search. The application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria finally gave ten studies which were reviewed. The review revealed, among other things, that a good number of adults living with HIV have multiple sex partners, and some still have sex without condoms. Besides, most of them indicated the need for their own biological children, especially after being on ART for a while. Some women living with HIV in SSA do not have a right to decide on their sexual and reproductive health. Recommendation: It was recommended that there be intense re-orientation and health education for this group of people. Women need to be empowered and taught their rights.