Does engaging in risky sexual behaviour depend on the level of knowledge about HIV? Study among Polish women

Introduction:
The number of HIV infections in Central and Eastern Europe is increasing while patterns of risky sexual behaviour and HIV knowledge level within Polish women have not been extensively researched. Aim of the research: The aim of the study was to measure the tendency for risky sexual behaviour and prevalence of condom use. The obtained data allow one to identify risk factors for contracting HIV/sexually transmitted infections and provide a comprehensive assessment of HIV knowledge level among adult Polish females

Material and methods:
Data were collected in May–July 2020 with the use of a cross-sectional sample (n = 620) of women aged 18 years and above. Predictors of socioeconomic factors, risky sexual behaviour and HIV knowledge level were the focal points of the article.

Results:
Student’s t-test revealed that the average level of knowledge about HIV within females who always use a condom (median [Mdn] = 13.92) did not differ from that of participants who have unprotected sexual intercourse (Mdn = 13.93) (t(1.62) = 0.38; p > 0.05).

Conclusions:
The analysis of the data collected from this study revealed that HIV awareness is positively correlated with an increase in engaging in risky sexual behaviour. The results of this study can be used to enhance prophylactic programs and other preventative interventions that aim to reduce the transmission of the HIV infection.