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Measuring the impact of a behaviour change intervention for commercial sex workers and their potential clients in Malawi.

A peer-education HIV/AIDS prevention programme for bar-based sex workers and their potential clients (long-distance truck drivers) in Malawi was evaluated for impact. A mixed method approach was used, the tools being structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. The results showed that in the active districts, the presence of sex worker peer educators led to a increase in condom use with paying partners (90.3 compared to 66.7 and 76.3% in the two other groups--non-active and average) and increased condom distribution. Condom use with regular non-paying partners of sex workers had, however, not increased since the baseline data. The truck driver peer educators were found to be generally inactive but companies where training had occurred were more likely to encourage and distribute condoms. The qualitative data gave a more in-depth view of several areas for concern: the reasons for the non-use of condoms with non-paying partners; acceptance of educators by their peers; and the sex workers' and truck drivers' criteria for condom use based neither on knowledge nor on their own risk awareness. These issues need to be explored further.

Condoms↗

Conflicting advice? Australian adolescents' use of condoms or the pill.

CONTEXT: Teenagers are exposed to two potentially conflicting sexual health messages, one emphasizing the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the other stressing pregnancy prevention. To protect teenagers from both STDs and unwanted pregnancy, it is important to know what method choices they make and why. METHODS: Data from a 1997 national survey of 3,550 Australian secondary school students were used to examine teenagers' method choice and patterns of advice-seeking about contraception and STD prevention. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with the exclusive use of condoms or the pill. RESULTS: Virtually all 961 currently sexually active students were using at least one contraceptive method--primarily condoms (78%) or the pill (45%). Some 31% were using condoms exclusively, and 10% were using the pill exclusively. Older students and those who had sought contraceptive advice had elevated odds of using the pill rather than condoms exclusively (odds ratios, 4.4 and 2.6, respectively), while those who had had only casual partners in the last year had a reduced likelihood of exclusive pill rather than condom use (0.1). Furthermore, the more students believed that their peers used condoms, the less likely they were to report exclusive pill use (0.4). Parents were the most frequent source of advice about contraception, followed by physicians and teachers. The most common sources of advice about HIV and other STDs were parents, teachers and then physicians. CONCLUSIONS: Young people must be educated about the distinction between safer sex and contraception, and about how to prevent both STDs and pregnancy. Providing parents with current sexual health information may help to improve young people's sexual health.

Adolescent↗

Influence of attitudes on the intention to use condoms in Quebec sexually active male adolescents.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of attitudes and other variables on the intention to use condoms in sexually active male adolescents. METHODS: The survey was conducted from April to June 1989 on a sample of 433 sexually active boys aged 12-19 years registered in secondary schools in Laval, Quebec. RESULTS: Information on condoms provided by parents, peers, school, or media had no positive effect on male adolescents' intention to use condoms. Having a favorable attitude towards contraceptive responsibility, however, was significantly associated with the outcome variable. Endorsement of this responsibility seemed short-lived being replaced by the birth control pill in older adolescents. The study also found that in younger adolescents, intention to use condoms was significantly associated with supportive parental attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study highlight the importance of developing strategies to encourage sexually active male adolescents to assume greater responsibility for using condoms, and suggest that in order for programs to be effective, STD and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome prevention should be done at younger ages while encouraging parents to take a greater role in sex education.

Adolescent↗

Modelling the impact of alternative HIV intervention strategies in rural Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the likely impact on HIV incidence of increased condom use, a reduction in casual sexual partners, treatment programmes for other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and combinations of these in rural Uganda. METHODS: A simulation model for the transmission dynamics of HIV infection and STD was employed, drawing on data from a rural population cohort in South-West Uganda with an HIV prevalence of 9% among adults in 1990. RESULTS: For the scenario most consistent with data from the study population, 39% of all adult HIV infections were averted, in the 10 years from 1990, when condoms were used consistently and effectively by 50% of men in their contacts with one-off sexual partners (such as bar girls and commercial sex workers). Reducing by 50% the frequency of men's sexual contacts with one-off partners averted 68% of infections. Reducing by 50% the duration of all STD episodes averted 43% of infections. Combining these three interventions averted 82% of all adult infections in the 10 years from 1990. CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of HIV infections may be averted in general populations through interventions targeted only on less regular sexual partnerships.

Adult↗

Intravenous fibroblast growth factor penetrates the blood-brain barrier and protects hippocampal neurons against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play a role in neuronal survival after brain ischemia when administered intrace-rebrally. However, the clinical problems that chronic intracerebral infusion of FGFs involves may restrict its use. The purpose of this study was to analyze if FGFs administered intravenously might afford neuroprotection against transient brain ischemia in the light of new published data that suggest that these polypeptides cross the blood brain-barrier (BBB). METHODS: The efficacy of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) treatment was analyzed in a gerbil model of 5 min forebrain ischemia followed by 7 days of reperfusion. Native and nonmitogenic aFGF was injected in gerbils as a bolus through a jugular vein at the onset of reperfusion. Control animals received in the same manner vehicle solution alone. Seven days later, neuroprotection was evaluated histologically. Penetration of the FGF across the BBB was assessed by autoradiographic studies in rats. For that purpose, we injected through the jugular vein 0.1 microgram of uniformly labeled native 14C-basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), 0.1 microgram of heat-denatured 14C-bFGF, or a coinjection of 14C-bFGF with a 900-fold excess of unlabeled bFGF. Two hours later, animals were killed for morphological studies. RESULTS: We report that a venous injection of either native or nonmitogenic form of aFGF after 5 min forebrain ischemia in the gerbil significantly reduced the occurrence of delayed neuronal death (DND) in the CA1 sector of the hippocampus. We also confirmed that blood-borne 14C-bFGF accumulates in CA1 pyramidal neurons.

Animals↗

Condom use in anal intercourse amongst people who identify as homosexual, heterosexual or bisexual.

AIMS: to study condom use amongst those who practice anal intercourse. METHODS: a sample of 814 clients attending anonymously for pretest counselling for HIV infection at the Burnett Clinic, Auckland, gave detailed information about their sexual behaviour. RESULTS: insertive or receptive anal intercourse was reported in 39% of clients. This included 89% among homosexual men, 78% among bisexual men, 17% among heterosexual men and 21% among heterosexual women. In those practising anal intercourse concomitant condom use was reported by 71% of homosexual men, 53% of bisexual men, 16% of heterosexual men and 7% of heterosexual women. Those most likely to use condoms were homosexual men, prostitutes, those with multiple partners and those with an HIV infected partner. Those least likely to use condoms were heterosexual men or women. CONCLUSIONS: whilst substantial changes in sexual practices appear to have been made in the homosexual community, heterosexuals practising anal intercourse have made few such changes. More explicit AIDS education may be necessary which acknowledges that anal intercourse is practised by heterosexuals and advises condom use accordingly.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗

Conditioned medium from mixed retinal pigmented epithelium and Müller cell cultures reduces in vitro permeability of retinal vascular endothelial cells.

AIM: To investigate the in vitro effect of laser photocoagulation on blood-retinal barrier permeability. METHODS: Retinal capillary endothelial cells were exposed to supernatants from long term co-cultured cells that were argon laser treated. Endothelial cell permeability was analysed by (1) measurement of transendothelial electrical resistance and (2) equilibration of [(3)H] inulin and [(14)C] albumin across the cell monolayer. RESULTS: Laser photocoagulation of various retinal cells and control ECV304 cells in the lower chamber did not appreciably improve permeability of the endothelial cell monolayer compared with that of unlasered cells. However, medium that was conditioned by mixed retinal pigmented epithelium and Müller cells significantly reduced both inulin (43.2% (SD 6.5%) equilibration in mixed cultures v 59.8% (SD 7.0%) control cells, p<0.05) and albumin (15.1% (SD 3.8%) v 31.1% (SD 6.7%), p<0.05) permeability of the endothelial cell monolayers. A fourfold increase in transendothelial electrical resistance was also seen. CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with the hypothesis that interaction of Müller cells with retinal pigmented epithelium induced by laser treatment results in secretion of soluble factor(s), which reduces permeability of retinal vascular endothelium. Identification of these factor(s) may have implications for the clinical treatment of macular oedema secondary to diabetic retinopathy and other diseases.

Animals↗

Angiopoietin-2 facilitates vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis in the mature mouse brain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A better understanding of angiogenic factors and their effects on cerebral angiogenesis is necessary for the development of effective therapeutic strategies for ischemic brain injury. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to induce angiogenesis in the adult mouse brain. However, the function of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) in cerebral angiogenesis has not been clarified. The goal of this study was to identify the combined effects of VEGF and Ang-2 on cerebral angiogenesis and the blood-brain barrier (BBB). METHODS: Six groups of 6 adult male CD-1 mice underwent AdlacZ (viral vector control), AdVEGF, AdAng2, VEGF protein, VEGF protein plus AdAng2, or saline (negative control) injection. Microvessels were counted using lectin staining on tissue sections after 2 weeks of treatment. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity was determined by zymography. The presence of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) protein was determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Mice treated with VEGF protein infusion plus AdAng-2 significantly increased microvessel counts relative to all other groups (P<0.05). The changes in MMP-9 activity paralleled the reduced ZO-1 expression in the VEGF plus Ang-2-treated group compared with the other 5 groups (P<0.05). Double-labeled immunostaining demonstrated that ZO-1-positive staining was significantly decreased on the microvessel wall in the VEGF plus Ang-2-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that the combination of VEGF and Ang-2 promotes more angiogenesis compared with VEGF alone. Furthermore, the combination of VEGF and Ang-2 may lead to BBB disruption because it increases MMP-9 activity and inhibits ZO-1 expression.

Adenoviridae↗

A fluorometric screening assay for drug efflux transporter activity in the blood-brain barrier.

PURPOSE: To examine the capability of a fluorometric assay to identify and characterize the drug efflux interactions of a broad spectrum of drug agents in an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). METHODS: Various concentrations of drug agent (1, 10, and 100 microM) were evaluated for their effect on the cellular accumulation of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) probe R123 (3.2 microM), and the mixed P-gp and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) probe, BCECF (1 microM), in bovine brain microvessel endothelial cell (BBMEC) monolayers. Drugs demonstrating a significant effect were further quantitated using an expanded concentration range and a nonlinear regression curve fit to determine the potency (IC50) and efficacy (Imax) of the drug for P-gp and/or MRP. RESULTS: Several of the 36 therapeutic agents examined showed drug efflux transporter interactions in BBMEC monlayers. Melphalan and risperidone significantly enhanced the accumulation of R123 over control (1.47- and 1.82-fold, respectively) with resulting IC50s of 1.4 and 14.6 microM, respectively. Chlorambucil and valproic acid significantly enhanced the accumulation of BCECF compared to control monolayers (2.02- and 4.01-fold, respectively) with resulting IC50s of 146.1 and 768.5 microM, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrates the feasibility of a fluorometric assay consisting of R123 and BCECF in assessing the drug efflux interactions of a variety of drugs in the BBB.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B↗

[Construction of multifunctonal nano-delivery system crossing blood brain barrier].

OBJECTIVE: To construct multifunctonal nano-delivery system crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB). METHODS: The magnetic nanoparticles were preprared with O-carboxylmethylated chitosan (O-CMC) and conjugated with a peptide sequence from the human immunodeficiency virus 1-tat protein and transferrin (Tf), and anti-tumor drug methotrexate (MTX), and thus constructed a O-CMC magnetic nanoparticles carrier system conjugating with Tat and Tf (O-MNPs-Tat-Tf) that combines multiple functions including crossing BBB, magnetism, receptor-mediated dual targets and anti-tumor capabilities. The appearance, diameter, and magnetism of MTX-O-MNPs-Tat-Tf carrier system were characterized with transmission electronic microscopy, atomic force microscopy and vibrating samples magnetometer. The cytotoxicity of MTX-loaded O-MNPs-Tat-Tf was investigated with C6 glioma cells. The ability of O-MNPs-Tat-Tf crossing BBB was investigated in rats by single photon emission computed tomography. RESULTS: The mean particle diameter was 75 nm, along with good anti-tumor property. The multi-functioned carrier system successfully crossed the BBB in rat. CONCLUSION: The establishment of MTX-O-MNPs-Tat-Tf carrier model implies a promising future for its application in therapy of cerebral diseases.

Blood-Brain Barrier↗

The relational determinants of condom use with commercial sex partners in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the extent and determinants of condom use with commercial sex partners among lower socioeconomic status groups in the Thai population. DESIGN: Respondents were sampled in Udon Thani, Saraburi and Bangkok in 1992. Completed sample size was 678 women in brothels, 330 male truck drivers and 1,075 men aged 17-45 years. Behavioral data and local sexual network information were collected using structured questionnaires (face-to-face interviews), focus groups and in-depth unstructured interviews. METHODS: Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Condom use with commercial partners remains inconsistent. Consistent use was reported by 61% of women in brothels, 25% of truck drivers, and 29% of men in the low-income population. The single strongest predictor of consistent condom use for all groups is type of partnership. Consistent use drops significantly with regular (multivisit) commercial sex partners compared with casual (single visit) commercial partners; adjusted odds of consistent use are 0.22 for women and 0.25 for men. Brothel women report that one in five of their commercial partners is a 'regular', and 20% of the young men who report a commercial partner report a 'regular'. DISCUSSION: The strongest determinant of consistent condom use is the nature of the relational bond between the partners, rather than their individual characteristics, knowledge or attitudes. To raise condom use further, programs will have to move beyond the standard knowledge-attitudes-practices paradigm focus on individual attributes to address the contextual determinants of behavior.

Adolescent↗

Kinetics of choline uptake into isolated rat forebrain microvessels: evidence of endocrine modulation.

The active uptake of [methyl-3H]choline into isolated rat brain microvessel suspension was studied as a likely guide to the transport of choline across the blood-brain barrier. The method consisted primarily of incubation of the suspension with a fixed concentration of labeled choline in the presence of increasing concentrations of unlabeled choline or any other inhibitor (I) of active uptake, defined as the difference in uptake at 37 degrees and 0 degrees C. From the linear regression of (1/V) against [I], the following values of Vmax (nmol g-1 min-1) and Km (microM) were obtained for choline: 2-month-old males, 10.6 +/- 3.8 and 6.1 +/- 0.9; 3-month old random females, 28.4 +/- 5.9 and 12.6 +/- 4.0; females at metaestrus, 17.8 +/- 10.3 and 8.3 +/- 5.0; at diestrus, 31.1 +/- 9.3 and 13.0 +/- 2.6; at proestrus, 54.9 +/- 2.2 and 14.0 +/- 1.5; at estrus, 19.2 +/- 2.2 and 2.6 +/- 1.7. The differences between males and random females (p less than 0.018) and between females at proestrus and estrus (p less than 0.005) are significant. It is suggested that these inter- and intrasex variations in choline uptake reflect a dynamic adjustment of supply in accordance with brain demand for choline at the time of assay. Hemicholinium-3 was an effective inhibitor of choline uptake, Ki = 14.0 +/- 8.5 microM; dimethylaminoethanol was much less effective; and imipramine had no measurable effect.

Animals↗

Teenage partners' communication about sexual risk and condom use: the importance of parent-teenager discussions.

CONTEXT: Teenagers' communication with their partners about sex and their use of condoms may be influenced by the discussions teenagers have with their parents about sex. However, little is known about the process of parent-teenager communication on this topic. Understanding both what parents discuss with their children and how they discuss it may lead to a greater understanding of teenagers' sexual behavior. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 372 sexually active black and Hispanic youth aged 14-17 from Alabama, New York and Puerto Rico. Regression analyses were used to examine parent-teenager discussions about sexuality and about sexual risk, and parental communication skills as predictors of teenagers' discussions about sexual risk with a partner and teenagers' condom use. RESULTS: Parent-teenager discussions about sexuality and sexual risk were associated with an increased likelihood of teenager-partner discussions about sexual risk and of teenagers' condom use, but only if parents were open, skilled and comfortable in having those discussions. Teenagers' communication with their partner about sexual risk also was associated with greater condom use, but the relationship between parent-teenager communication and teenagers' condom use was independent of this association. CONCLUSIONS: The influence on teenagers of parent-teenager discussions about sexuality and sexual risk depends on both what parents say and how they say it. Programs that foster parent-teenager communication about sexuality and sexual risk must emphasize both of these aspects.

Adolescent↗

Retinal selectivity of gene expression in rat retinal versus brain capillary endothelial cell lines by differential display analysis.

PURPOSE: The retina is a neural tissue especially differentiated for vision and, thus, the inner blood-retinal barrier (inner BRB) specific molecules may play an essential role in maintaining neural functions in the retina. The purpose of the present study was to identify selectively expressed genes at the inner blood-retinal barrier compared with the blood-brain barrier (BBB). METHODS: A comparison of expressed genes between conditionally immortalized rat retinal (TR-iBRB) cell lines and brain capillary endothelial (TR-BBB) cell lines was performed using mRNA differential display analysis and quantitative real time PCR analysis. The rat M-cadherin gene was cloned by performing 5' RACE, and its protein expression was detected by immunoblot analysis. RESULTS: Eight clones were identified as highly expressed genes in TR-iBRB cells including GATA-binding protein-3 (GATA-3), cytosolic branched chain amino transferase (BCATc), and M-cadherin (cadherin-15). The rat M-cadherin gene was cloned from TR-iBRB cells, for the first time, and has >86% amino acid sequence identity to the previously cloned mammalian M-cadherins. Rat M-cadherin expression in TR-iBRB cells was much greater than that in TR-BBB cells as far as mRNA and protein levels were concerned. CONCLUSIONS: M-cadherin, GATA-3, and BCATc are highly expressed in TR-iBRB cells compared with TR-BBB cells and may indeed be involved in unique functions at the inner BRB.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The role of bifidobacteria in gut barrier function after thermal injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: Early multiple organ dysfunction syndrome appears to be facilitated with bacterial translocation in severe burn injury, yet the mechanisms of bacterial translocation remain in dispute. The aim of this study was to characterize the potential role of intestinal bifidobacteria in the pathogenesis of gut-derived bacterial translocation after burns and to analyze the effects of bifidobacterial supplement on gut barrier function. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into burn group (Burn, n = 60), sham burn group (SB, n = 10) in experiment 1, and burn + saline group (BS, n = 30), burn + bifidobacteria group (BB, n = 30), and sham-burn + saline group (SS, n = 30) in experiment 2. Animals in BB group were fed bifidobacterial preparation (5 x 10(9) CFU/mL) after burns, 1.5 mL, twice daily. Animals in BS and SS were fed saline. Samples were taken on postburn days 1, 3, and 5. The incidence of bacterial translocation and counts of Bifidobacterium, fungi and Escherichia coli in gut mucosa, as well as the sIgA levels in mucus of the small intestine were determined. The positive sIgA expression in lamina propria and ileum mucosal injury were evaluated light microscopically by blinded examiners. RESULTS: The incidence of bacterial translocation was increased after burns, which was accompanied by significant decrease in number of bifidobacteria but significant increase in E. coli and fungi in gut mucosa, and elevation of levels of plasma endotoxin and IL-6 (p < 0.001). The incidence of bacterial translocation was markedly reduced after 3- and 5-day supplementation of bifidobacteria compared with control group (p < 0.05). The counts of mucosal bifidobacteria were increased by 4- to 40-fold, whereas E. coli and fungi were decreased by 2- to 30-fold and 10- to 150-fold, respectively, after bifidobacterial supplementation. The damage of mucosa tended to be less pronounced after 3-day bifidobacteria-supplemented formula compared with control group (grade 2 [0-6] versus grade 4 [3-6], p < 0.05). Moreover, the expression and release of sIgA was markedly augmented after 3-days of bifidobacteria-supplementation formula and it returned to normal range on postburn day 5. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in counts and proportion of bifidobacteria to other flora in gut may play an important role in the development of bacterial translocation after thermal injury. Supplementation of exogenous bifidobacteria could improve gut barrier function, and attenuate bacterial/endotoxin translocation secondary to major burns.

Animal Feed↗

Risk factors for sexually transmitted disease in Harare: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain information on risk factors and health-seeking behavior of men with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) attending primary care clinics. STUDY DESIGN: Unmatched case-control. METHODS: Cases consisted of 256 consecutive men with genital ulcer disease (GUD) and 256 with other STDs. Control subjects (N = 256) were recruited from every third man with non-STD-related complaints. All subjects were at least 15 years of age. A structured questionnaire was administered. RESULTS: Genital ulcer disease cases reported more frequent sexual intercourse with a commercial sex worker (odds ratio [OR] = 17.4; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 7.8-40.0) and a recent new sexual contact (OR = 6.7; CI = 3.3-14.1). Similarly, STD cases reported more frequent sexual contact with a commercial sex worker (OR = 3.4; CI = 2.0-5.6) and a recent new sexual contact (OR = 7.9; CI = 3.9-16.3). Reported condom use was less than 30% with all partner types. Of all STD cases, 80% sought treatment at the primary care clinics, with 35% delaying more than 7 days before seeking treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Culturally appropriate behavioral educational programs are advocated to reduce the risk of transmission and the period for seeking treatment for all STDs.

Adolescent↗

Angiographic abnormalities in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: an explanation based on neuropathologic findings.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is typically occult at angiography and fails to enhance on MR images. After observing angiographic abnormalities characterized by arteriovenous shunting and pathologic parenchymal blush in patients with AIDS-related PML, often in the absence of contrast enhancement on MR images, we hypothesized that there might be distinct changes in the cerebral microvasculature that account for the reduction in vascular transit time (arteriovenous shunting) in the absence of blood-brain barrier dysfunction. METHODS: The imaging studies and neuropathologic specimens of six patients with biopsy-proved PML were reviewed retrospectively. In all patients contrast-enhanced MR imaging and CT, followed by cerebral angiography, were performed before stereotactically directed biopsy. The angiograms were evaluated for the presence of vascular displacement, pathologic parenchymal blush, arteriovenous shunting, and neovascularity. The CT and MR studies were reviewed for the presence of enhancement of the PML lesions. Biopsy specimens were examined for the presence of necrosis, perivascular inflammation, and neovascularity. RESULTS: All patients had oligodendrocytic intranuclear inclusions diagnostic of PML, together with perivascular inflammation and neovascularity to a varying extent; no other neuropathologic processes were identified. Angiographic abnormalities, characterized by a pathologic parenchymal blush and arteriovenous shunting, were identified in four of the six patients. In only one of these cases, however, was abnormal enhancement identified on cross-sectional imaging studies (MR and CT), and this patient had florid perivascular inflammatory infiltrates histologically. CONCLUSION: The pathologic parenchymal blush and arteriovenous shunting seen angiographically in some patients with PML reflect small-vessel proliferation and perivascular inflammatory changes incited by the presence of the JC virus in infected oligodendrocytes.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

AIDS knowledge, risk behaviors, and factors related to condom use among male commercial sex workers and male tourist clients in Bali, Indonesia.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the AIDS/sexually transmitted diseases (STD) knowledge and risk behaviors, and to determine factors related to condom use among male commercial sex workers (CSW) and male tourist clients in Bali, Indonesia. DESIGN: Individual survey interviews were conducted with a sample of 80 male CSW and 100 tourist clients in the Kuta area of Bali. METHODS: Survey interviews included detailed questions on AIDS/STD knowledge, sexual behavior, and psychosocial measures related to risk taking. RESULTS: Most of the male CSW had heard about AIDS and other STD, although some misconceptions about transmission and risks of different sexual practices remained. Both oral and anal intercourse with tourists were common and condom use was far from consistent. Factors related to condom use for anal intercourse with tourist clients were condom beliefs, self efficacy, susceptibility to STD infection, and STD knowledge. Tourist clients were mainly from Australia and Europe and many had paid for sex in other parts of Indonesia as well as in high prevalence countries. Knowledge of AIDS/STD was very good among the tourists and previous experience with STD was common. Factors related to condom use with male CSW were condom beliefs and self efficacy. CONCLUSION: There is a very active and mobile group of male CSW and tourist clients present in Bali. Interventions with these men are needed due to the low level of knowledge about AIDS among CSW, their experience with STD and STD symptoms, and their level of risky sexual behavior.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗