Adverse lifelong experiences in Portuguese people living with HIV: a retrospective study

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the adverse life experiences encountered by people living with HIV in Portugal, analyze differences between men and women, and identify which experiences were related to HIV transmission modes-sexual activity or injection drug use. We used a sample of 328 participants with a mean age of 45.64, mostly men (79.6%), with a known diagnosis of HIV for 10.34 years. Women and persons who inject drugs reported significantly more adverse outcomes throughout life. Physical abuse during childhood was significantly associated with the sexual transmission mode, whereas having a parent sent to prison during childhood, physical violence, experiencing a life-threatening injury/illness (other than HIV) during adulthood, and injuring someone during adulthood were associated with injection drug use. Practical implications are discussed at the prevention and intervention levels.