Dr. Paschal Ezeobi, a Senior Research Fellow and Acting Head at the Clinical Sciences Department of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, has cautioned that engaging in anal sex increases the risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission.
HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system and can be transmitted through contact with the blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal secretions of individuals living with HIV.
According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), a global alliance of 11 United Nations organizations aiming to end Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome by 2030, 39 million people globally were living with HIV in 2022.
Dr. Ezeobi highlighted the increased risk associated with anal sex, particularly for the receptive partner, due to the fragility of rectal tissues. The porous nature of rectal tissues allows the virus direct access into the bloodstream through tiny tears or abrasions, making it more susceptible to HIV transmission.
In an interview with PUNCH Healthwise, Dr. Ezeobi acknowledged the high risk of HIV transmission in anal sex but also emphasized that there are methods and measures to reduce this risk. He noted that vaginal sex does not pose as high a risk as anal sex in HIV transmission, as the vaginal cavity has physiological adaptations to sexual intercourse.
Dr. Ezeobi explained, “However, there are still some provisions that are made available to people who might have different sexual orientations through the use of gels and to ensure that they correctly use condoms to reduce friction.” He highlighted that appropriate methods could reduce the risk, but the risk associated with vaginal sex is not as high as that of anal sex.
Continued access to adequate healthcare services and awareness of protective methods are crucial for individuals with different sexual orientations, with an emphasis on creating an environment free of stigmatization to encourage open communication.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that anal sex with persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is the riskiest type of sex for getting or transmitting HIV.
The CDC highlights that being the receptive partner (bottom) is riskier than being the insertive partner (top) in anal sex due to the thin lining of the rectum, which may allow HIV to enter the body. The CDC’s HIV Risk Reduction Tool provides statistics on the risk of HIV infection based on various sexual activities and precautions.