Behavioral relapse among homosexually active men: implications for STD control

Article Abstract:

A recent article by Handsfield and Schwebke in the Oct-Dec 1990 issue of Sexually Transmitted Diseases reports that the rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) is again rising among homosexual men in Seattle. This is discouraging, as STD rates had declined in this group through the 1980s, following intensive education on behavioral risks for infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, the cause of AIDS) and other STDs. Rates had declined in many groups, but the drop among homosexual men had been much greater. This had led to the hope that efforts to change behavior were a good way to achieve control of STD transmission. The Seattle report most likely indicates a failure to sustain altered behavior by homosexual men. Although one third of the group studied was under 24 years old and thus probably less aware and less concerned when AIDS began to affect the homosexual population, the remainder of the group was over 24, suggesting that a behavioral relapse was occurring. Whether this was due to perception of a decreased risk in themselves or their partners or whether other perceptions were involved is an essential topic for further research. The shift of public educational efforts from homosexual men to drug users and other high-risk groups may also have contributed to the increased rate, and it may become necessary to calculate the cost associated with maintenance of low-risk behaviors. The contribution of altering sexual behavior toward slowing STD transmission was not valued before the advent of AIDS. The trend reported in this article is an illustration of the significance of behavior not only among homosexual men but in other groups as well. More research on the effectiveness of decreasing risk by decreasing desirability of high-risk behaviors rather than relying upon the fear of AIDS as a deterrent, is greatly needed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diseases, editorial

---

Trends in sexually transmitted diseases in homosexually active men in King County, Washington, 1980-1990

Article Abstract:

The incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as gonorrhea and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection decreased among homosexual and bisexual men in the US in the early 1980s. This was attributed to changes in sexual behavior following the growth of the AIDS epidemic and to improved education about risk factors contributing to the transmission of AIDS. However, the incidence of STDs increased in homosexually active men in 1989 in King County, Washington. This trend was analyzed so as to better understand its genesis. The results do not support the hypothesis that this trend is a result of artifacts such as shifts to public from private health care, or increased, but limited, infectivity of a small group of men. Rather, 20 different types of gonorrheal bacteria were identified, and rectal gonococcal infections rose substantially, indicating an increase in the practice most closely related to HIV infection in these men. The increased incidence of STDs was not solely attributable to younger, less aware and newly sexually active men. The results suggest that the frequency of risky sexual behaviors, after declining in the 1980s, increased in 1989 among some men. This may be related to the complacency related to the decline in STD rates and availability of zidovudine for HIV treatment, difficulty in maintaining low-risk behaviors, and the shift in public health education efforts away from homosexuals and toward other risk groups. The study suggests that even in this group, which had been highly educated and aware of risk factors and behaviors related to HIV infection, ongoing counseling and public education are needed to sustain behavioral changes so as to minimize STD and HIV infection transmission. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Homosexuality, Male, Male homosexuality, Washington (State)

---

Sexually transmitted diseases in men who have sex with men: acquisition of gonorrhea and nongonococcal urethritis by fellatio and implications for STD/HIV prevention

Article Abstract:

Men who have sex with men may continue to be at high risk for acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV. Researchers reviewed the medical records of 1253 men who have sex with men who attended an urban STD clinic. A total of 162 men (12.9%) were HIV infected. Oral sex was found to be a risk factor for nonchlamydial nongonococcal urethritis and for urethral gonorrhea. Men who stated they consistently used condoms did not have a lower risk of urethritis or rectal gonorrhea. Clinics should screen even condom users for STDs and HIV.

Disease transmission, Oral sex

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Prevention of excess mortality in refugee and displaced populations in developing countries. Refugees and displaced persons: war, hunger and public health
• Abstracts: A formal audit of continuing medical education activity for license renewal. Continuing medical education at a crossroads
• Abstracts: Breast cancer and dietary and plasma concentrations of carotenoids and vitamin A. Questioning riboflavin recommendations on the basis of a survey in China
• Abstracts: AIDS in intravenous drug users: issues related to enrollment in clinical trials. Use of paper-absorbed fingerstick blood samples for studies of antibody to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in intravenous drug users
• Abstracts: Cerebral aspergillosis in liver transplantation. 10 year review of invasive aspergillosis detected at necropsy

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.