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HCV incidence in a dialysis center: preliminary reports.

Incidence of seroconversion to anti-HCV from December 1989 to May 1991 was evaluated in patients and in their sexual partners. In December '89, 13 of 66 and in May '91, 26 of 75 patients were HCV positive. 9 of 13 new, seroconverted patients had been transfused. Seroconverted mean dialytic age was lower than that of previous HCV-positive patients. All the sexual partners were HCV negative. Blood transfusion seems to be the main risk factor for HCV infection, while environmental contamination is still debatable.

Adult↗

Adolescent oral sex, peer popularity, and perceptions of best friends' sexual behavior.

OBJECTIVE: To provided initial descriptive information regarding adolescents' engagement in oral sex and to investigate adolescents' perceptions of their best friends' sexual behavior and peer-reported popularity as two social mechanisms that may influence engagement in oral sex. METHODS: A total of 212 tenth graders reported their engagement in oral sex and intercourse, number of sexual partners, and use of sexually transmitted infection (STI) protection, as well as perceptions of their best friends' sexual behaviors. Sociometric assessment yielded peer-reported measures of adolescents' preference- and reputation-based popularity. RESULTS: Adolescents were more likely to report engagement in oral sex than intercourse, report more oral sex partners than intercourse partners, and were unlikely to report use of STI protection during oral sex. Perceptions of best friends' behavior were significantly associated with adolescents' own oral sex behavior, but not intercourse. Adolescents who reported sexual activity had high levels of reputation-based popularity, but not likeability among peers; however, sex with more partners was associated with lower levels of popularity. CONCLUSIONS: Implications for prevention programs are discussed.

Adolescent↗

[Effect of a safe-sex campaign on women attending a clinic of venereology. Sex behavior and prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases in women examined at the Venereaklinik in Copenhagen in 1984 and 1988].

Consecutive female patients attending the Copenhagen Venereal Disease Clinic were interviewed about sexual behaviour in 1984 (981 women) and in 1988 (684 women). Details of symptoms, age at coitarche, number of sexual partners, contraceptive methods, and obstetric history were recorded together with the results of the venereological examination. A substantially higher proportion of women used condoms in 1988 (51%) than in 1984 (11%), but otherwise the safe sex campaigns had had a limited effect on the sexual behaviour in this group of women until 1988. The prevalence of gonorrhea decreased significantly (from 22% to 6%, p < 0.01), whereas an increase in the prevalence of genital warts was observed (from 4% to 10%, p < 0.01).

Adolescent↗

Bacterial vaginosis in virginal and sexually active adolescent females: evidence against exclusive sexual transmission.

Sixty-eight sexually active and 52 virginal asymptomatic adolescent girls were evaluated for bacterial vaginosis and various laboratory indicators of bacterial vaginosis in a 3-month observational noninterventive study. Sixteen of 120 (13%) subjects had bacterial vaginosis during the study. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis or in the prevalence of isolation of Gardnerella vaginalis between the sexually active and virginal groups. Only a few cases of bacterial vaginosis (one of eight), wet mount clue cells (four of 11), sniff tests (two of eight), and abnormal vaginal fluid succinate/lactate ratios (none of 6) persisted for 3 months in the absence of therapy. These results are discussed in light of several recent reports that suggest using the isolation of G. vaginalis or the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis as evidence of sexual abuse in children. It is concluded that bacterial vaginosis should not be considered an exclusively sexually transmitted disease. The presence of the condition is neither proof of sexual activity nor warrants male sexual partner therapy. In addition, therapy seems unwarranted for the incidental finding of bacterial vaginosis in the patient without symptoms.

Adolescent↗

Failure to detect evidence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection by polymerase chain reaction assay in blood donors with isolated core antibodies (anti-p24 or -p17) to HIV-1.

Individuals with isolated and persistent core antibodies (anti-p24 or -p17) to HIV-1 are sometimes diagnosed through the systematic screening of blood donations. The significance of such serum reactivities remains unknown. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a new technique allowing the direct detection of HIV-1 DNA in blood samples. In this study, PCR was used to detect HIV-1 DNA in 20 individuals with isolated and persistent core antibodies (14 anti-p24 and 6 -p17), in seven sexual partners of these individuals, in 55 HIV-1-seropositive individuals (positive controls), and in 105 HIV-1-seronegative blood donors at low risk of HIV-1 infection (negative controls). No HIV-1 DNA was detected in individuals with isolated and persistent core antibodies, in their sexual partners, or in negative control individuals, although PCR was positive in 54 of 55 seropositive control individuals. These results strongly suggest that individuals with isolated and persistent core antibodies are not infected with HIV-1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection among homosexual men attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Italy.

Prevalence of and risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were determined among 252 homosexual men with no history of intravenous drug use (median age 33 years, range 18-77) treated at a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Rome. The overall prevalence of antibodies to HBV core antigen (anti-HBc) was 50.8%, a rate nearly nine times as high as the 5.8% found recently in a national sample of young male adults, aged 18-26 years, and twice as high as the 22% found in heterosexuals attending the same clinic over the same period of time. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of anti-HBc positivity was independently associated with increasing age, five or more sexual partners in the previous year, positive HIV serology and positive syphilis serology. Lower level of schooling, lack of condom use, history of non-ulcerative STD, current or past history of genital herpes, and positive anti-HCV serology were not associated with anti-HBc positivity. These findings corroborate the importance of sexual transmission of HBV in homosexual men. Behavioural factors, such as multiple sexual partners, probably enhance the efficiency of this mode of HBV transmission.

Adolescent↗

Sexual risk behaviour reduction associated with voluntary HIV counselling and testing in HIV infected patients in Thailand.

Sexual risk behaviour, measured by anonymously self-reported sexual activity, number of sexual partners, and condom use rates, was studied in age- and gender-matched HIV-1 positive consecutive patients from the Thai Red Cross Immune Clinic (IC) (study group, questioned after voluntary HIV counselling and testing) and the Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic (AC) (control group, questioned before voluntary HIV counselling and testing) in Bangkok, Thailand in 1993/94. More than 80% of study patients reported having decreased their sexual activity and their number of sexual partners since receipt of the positive HIV test result. Compared to control patients, study patients reported more often abstaining from sex (42% vs 14%), and more often using condoms during all their last three incidences of sexual intercourse (44% vs 14%). These findings give evidence for the value of voluntary HIV counselling and testing in contributing to the reduction of HIV transmission in Asia.

Adolescent↗

HIV infection among female injection-drug users recruited in community settings.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To identify relationships between sexual behavior, drug use, and HIV infection among female injection-drug users (IDUs) recruited in community settings. STUDY DESIGN: Risk analysis of 407 survey questionnaires and matched HIV serologies (n = 403) from female IDUs recruited from community settings in 3 inner-city neighborhoods in San Francisco during 1991 and 1992. RESULTS: The HIV seroprevalence of our sample was 11.4%. Fifty-four percent reported using crack cocaine in the past 30 days. HIV seroprevalence was 10.5% among crack cocaine smokers and 12.5% among nonsmokers. In multivariate analysis, HIV infection was associated with a history of sex for money exchanges (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.11; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.37, 7.02); history of syphilis (AOR = 3.30; 95% CI = 1.36, 7.99); and African American ethnicity (AOR = 5.31; 95% CI = 2.05, 13.73). Crack smoking in the past 30 days (AOR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.15, 0.71) and having a current steady sexual partner (AOR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.24, 0.94) were both inversely associated with HIV infection in the multivariate model. None of our injection-related variables were predictive or protective of HIV infection, when controlled for the above factors. CONCLUSIONS: Unprotected heterosexual activity is a principal risk factor for HIV infection among female IDUs in San Francisco. Greater reported sexual risk behavior of crack smokers was not reflected by a higher HIV rate at present, perhaps because of lower prevalence of HIV among their sexual partners.

Adult↗

Hepatitis C. Epidemiologic quandaries.

Although many aspects of the transmission of HCV have been clarified, some important issues remain controversial, and the conventional wisdom may be based more on opinion than data (Table 2). HCV is transmitted by percutaneous exposure to contaminated blood, uncommonly from a mother to her infant and between sexual partners, and rarely during the provision of medical care in developed nations. Improved behavioral research instruments are needed to further the understanding of the practices that actually transmit infection. In addition, large, prospective studies are necessary to characterize the frequency [table: see text] of transmission between sexual partners and the potential role of cesarian section in reducing HCV transmission to infants.

Body Fluids↗

Drug use and sexual risk behaviours among female Russian IDUs who exchange sex for money or drugs.

Countries of the former Soviet Union are experiencing the steepest increases in annual HIV incidence in the world. Over 80% of registered HIV cases in Russia have occurred among intravenous drug users (IDUs), but current conditions set the stage for a heterosexually-transmitted epidemic. IDUs who also trade sex for money or drugs may serve as a conduit, or 'bridge' group, through which HIV could make inroads into the general Russian population. The present study examined the prevalence of sex trading among female Russian IDUs, and further examined drug use, sexual behaviour, and perceived vulnerability in this group. Female IDUs (n=100) in St Petersburg, Russia participated; 37% reported a history of sex trading. This group reported a mean of 49.5 male sexual partners in the previous month and an average of 15.4 unprotected vaginal intercourse acts in the previous 30 days. A significant minority (44%) also reported sharing injection equipment with others. Mathematical models to calculate risk estimates for HIV seroconversion indicated that participants were at significant risk of contracting HIV and infecting sexual partners. Despite significant rates of risk behaviours, most participants perceived themselves to be at little risk of contracting HIV. Effective HIV prevention programmes targeted at this group are urgently needed and are likely to be a cost-effective step in curtailing the spread of HIV in the region.

Adolescent↗

Smoking and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. An association independent of sexual and other risk factors?

The connection between smoking and cervical neoplasia has been questioned. The association demonstrated has been suspected to depend on a correlation between smoking and sexual behavior or other risk factors for cervical neoplasia. This case-control study included 140 women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosed during pregnancy. For each case, 2 healthy, age-matched women, who simultaneously attended for a pregnancy check at the same maternity clinic, served as controls. Information was obtained on obstetrical and gynecological history, sexual behavior, contraceptive methods, female and male smoking habits and socioeconomic status, using both an interview and a questionnaire. The patients were significantly younger at first intercourse and first pregnancy, had more sexual partners, showed a higher frequency of both female and male smokers and had a different pattern of contraceptive use vis-á-vis the controls. Analyses of covariance were used to identify and check for possible confounding before a log-linear regression analysis was ultimately carried out. Two factors remained closely associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: number of sexual partners, and female smoking. We conclude that smoking seems to be a genuine risk factor for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Adolescent↗

Community based study of sexually transmitted diseases in rural women in the highlands of Papua New Guinea: prevalence and risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and determine their risk factors/markers among a rural population of women in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. METHODS: Community based random cluster sample of women of reproductive age were interviewed and examined and had specimens collected for laboratory confirmation of chlamydial and trichomonal infection, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and bacterial vaginosis. RESULTS: Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in 26%, Trichomonas vaginalis in 46%, Neisseria gonorrhoeae in 1%, syphilis in 4%, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) (diagnosed clinically) in 14%, and bacterial vaginosis in 9% of 201 women. 59% of the women had at least one STD. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis taking the clustered sampling into account, independent risk factors for chlamydial infection were age < or = 25 years, < four living children, visualization of yellow mucopurulent endocervical secretions on a white swab, and bacterial vaginosis. Being married to a man who did not have other wives was protective. For trichomonal infection, independent risk factors were having no formal education, infertility, more than one sexual partner in the previous 12 months, treatment for genital complaints in the previous 3 months, abnormal vaginal discharge detected on examination, and chlamydial infection. Similar levels of trichomonal infection were found in all age groups. Among married women, rates of infection correlated with their perception of their husband having had other sexual partners in the previous 3 months, and this relationship was significant for chlamydial infection among women over 25. CONCLUSION: STDs are a major problem in this population, with the risk factors varying by outcome. Current treatment regimens are inappropriate given the high prevalence of trichomonal infection, and the available services are inadequate. Effective interventions are required urgently to reduce this burden and to prevent the rapid transmission of HIV.

Adolescent↗

Heterosexual contact as a major route for transmission of acute hepatitis B among adults.

Possible routes for transmission of acute hepatitis B were studied retrospectively in 78 consecutive adult patients seen at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Roslagstull Hospital in Stockholm. Sexual transmission was found to be a major route of transmission, being more common than intravenous drug abuse. A single possible route of transmission was found in 66/78 (84%) patients. Eleven of the 78 patients (14%) had two possible routes, sexual contact being one. Overall sexual contact possibly accounted for 53% of all cases of hepatitis B, homosexual contact being responsible for only 10%. Cases reported earlier as being of unknown origin or associated with a recent visit abroad or to be 'social contact cases' are probably most often due to heterosexual transmission. Seven patients (9%) were heterosexually infected by persons who had been recently receiving medical care for hepatitis B. Seven sexually transmitted cases of acute clinical hepatitis B secondary to the patients studied were seen also. These findings show that sexual transmission, mainly heterosexual, is a major route for transmission of hepatitis B in a western society. They also emphasise the importance of taking an adequate sexual history as a prerequisite for providing effective prophylaxis for sexual partners of patients with acute hepatitis B.

Adolescent↗

High- and intermediate-risk human papillomavirus infection in sexually active adolescent females.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of high- and intermediate-risk type human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical dysplasia in an urban Swiss adolescent population attending the local Adolescent Clinic, using a liquid-based Pap test combined with risk type HPV DNA testing. To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in the same study population. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: The Adolescent Clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University Clinic, Geneva, Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS: 134 women between 14 and 20 years of age were enrolled in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A standardized patient file on demographic and sexual history information was compiled and completed by physical examination, including a Pap test with adjunct high- and intermediate-risk type HPV DNA detection. RESULTS: Of the 134 specimens analyzed for HPV, 115 patients were negative and 19 (14.2%) were positive for HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, or 68. A significant association between HPV infection and having had more than one lifetime sexual partner was found (P <.05). Six (31.6%) of the HPV-positive and three (2.6%) of the HPV-negative specimens had a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) by cytology. Abnormal Pap test was related to HPV infection (odds ratio, 46.2; 95% confidence interval, 7.4 to 287.4) and, inversely, to age at first sexual intercourse (odds ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval,.97 to 1.0). CONCLUSION: High- and intermediate-risk type HPV infection is a frequent finding in our study group and is linked to having had more than one lifetime sexual partner. No association was found between HPV infection and other potential risk factors such as patient's age, age at first intercourse, frequency of intercourse during the three months prior to the investigation, smoking habits, or alcohol consumption.

Adolescent↗

[Prevalence of HIV infection among stable female partners of seropositive men].

Prevalence of HIV transmission to female sexual partners of seropositive men is not known yet. In order to know the condition in Japan, 11 HIV-seropositive men (25-42 years old; mean +/- SD, 32.5 +/- 6.0) and their stable female partners (24-42 years old; mean +/- SD, 31.3 +/- 6.0) were analyzed. Seropositive men consisted of seven hemophiliacs including a hemophiliac with intravenous drug abuse, three men who acquired HIV infection through heterosexual contact, and a man with intravenous drug abuse. Six of them were asymptomatic carriers, two had AIDS-related complex, and three had AIDS. All of the female partners had no risk factors other than sexual contact with their stable, seropositive male partners, except one who used to inject intravenous drug. Four of 11 female partners (36%) were found to be infected with HIV. All of the male partners of infected females had AIDS or AIDS-related complex, and had CD4 counts fewer than 100 cells/microliters. Asymptomatic carriers and men with CD4 counts more than 200 cells/microliters did not transmit HIV to their partners: rate of transmission of HIV by symptomatic men was significantly higher than that by asymptomatic men (p < 0.01), and the rate by men with CD4 counts fewer than 100 cells/microliters was also significantly higher than that by men with larger CD4 counts (p < 0.01). HIV-p24 antigen was measured in 10 of 11 seropositive men. The antigen was positive in four men, and negative in six.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Continued risk behaviour among HIV positive drug injectors in London: implications for intervention.

Findings are reported on the risk behaviour of 104 confirmed HIV-1 antibody positive drug injectors in London. Findings indicate that 41.3% of respondents had never received treatment or help for their drug use, and that 52.0% had never received a named test for HIV antibodies. The majority of confirmed HIV positive respondents (70.1%) were unaware of their HIV positive status. Respondents unaware of their HIV positive status were less likely to use condoms with primary sexual partners than respondents aware of their HIV status, and were marginally (though not significantly) more likely to report borrowing and lending used injecting equipment. Overall levels of risk-taking were similar to those reported in UK studies of injecting drug use as a whole. The paper concludes by emphasising the high potential for HIV transmission among the equipment sharing and sexual partners of HIV positive drug injectors and by stressing the importance of low-threshold HIV testing, education and treatment interventions in the community. If significant proportions of HIV positive drug injectors remain unaware of their antibody status, and if they also continue to engage in behaviours of risk to others, the spread of HIV among drug injectors and their partners may escape current efforts of prevention and prevalence control.

Adult↗

Sexual behaviors in an urban bathhouse 15 years into the HIV epidemic.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the population and sexual behaviors of men currently attending gay bathhouses. METHODS: Men entering a bathhouse in Portland, Oregon, were asked to complete a one-page questionnaire. Data collection ended when 1000 surveys were obtained. Questionnaires assessed demographics, self-reported HIV status, drug and alcohol use, and sexual behavior in the preceding 30 days. RESULTS: The estimated response rate was 80%-90%. Of 1000 respondents, 829 (83%) reported having anal or oral sex at a bathhouse in the previous 30 days, 715 (86%) engaged in oral sex, 420 (51%) in anal sex, and 89 (11%) in high-risk (unprotected anal) sex. In multivariate analysis, characteristics associated with men reporting high-risk sex compared with men reporting other sexual activities at the bathhouse were HIV infection (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-4.0); >or= 5 sexual partners in previous 30 days (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 2.0-5.3); having anonymous sex at other sites (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.8). CONCLUSIONS: Although most bathhouse patrons engaged in lower risk activities, those reporting unprotected anal sex were more likely to report HIV infection and to have multiple sexual partners. Well into the HIV epidemic, bathhouses remain venues for ongoing spread of HIV and opportunities for intervention.

Adult↗

Gender dynamics and the challenges for HIV prevention.

Information on the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), has been widely disseminated since the early 1980s, and yet curbing new infections remains a major public health dilemma. In response to the global challenge of HIV/AIDS, most control and prevention interventions have targeted "core groups' with messages which include:- 1. Reduction of individual risk through responsible sexual behaviour or behaviour change, such as, delayed sexual debut, abstinence, monogamy and condom use. 2. Communal (as a society) adoption of a risk reduction strategy e.g. reduced rate of sexual partner change and avoiding multiple partners. 3. Improved, early and aggressive STD treatment programmes. However, data from sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere shows how the epidemic, in the general population, appears to thrive unabatted. Large proportions of women and some men, in none of the traditional high risk core groups, are increasingly becoming infected with HIV. Most of the women appear to be at risk of infection not so much because of their own behaviour, but that of their partners of husbands. In this continuum, our response has been fragmented and non-strategic. Few programme activities have been developed that address men as a critical core group potentially propagating or sustaining the epidemic. The preoccupation with female sex workers and other core groups (e.g. truck drivers) could have overshadowed the need for programmes and interventions that make men, in general, aware of HIV risk and less likely to infect their sexual partners. Challenges posed by HIV require innovative strategies that foster behavioural and social change in the situation of men at risk and their partners.

Africa South of the Sahara↗