Knowledge of HIV Status and Sexual & HIV Risk Behaviour in Botswana: Does knowing one’s HIV Status Translate into Reduced Sexual and HIV Risk Behaviour?

This paper uses data from the 2008 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAISIII) to investigate the impact of knowledge of HIV status on sexual and HIV risk behaviors in Botswana. The logistic regression net effects model shows that knowing that one is HIV positive was associated reduction in the odds of having had sex with two or more people during the year leading to the survey; reporting two or more current partners and inconsistent condom use. Being HIV positive and not knowing it, was associated with increased likelihood of having had sex with two or more people during the year leading to the survey and having two or more current sexual partners, compared to respondents who were HIV negative and did know it.
Knowing one’s HIV negative status was associated with marginally increased likelihood of having had sex with two or more people during the year leading to the survey; having two or more current sexual partners, and a decline in likelihood of inconsistent condom use, compared to respondents who were HIV negative and didn’t know it. While promotion of HIV VCT has the potential to reduce sexual and HIV risk behaviours in Botswana, there is also a need to investigate the potential for sexual dis-inhibition associated with knowledge of an HIV negative status.