HIV risk difference between condom users and nonusers among U.S. heterosexual women

Article Abstract:

The use of condoms is recommended to prevent the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection during sexual intercourse. However, there have not been clinical studies which have fully analyzed the degree of protection that condoms actually provide. A model was developed to evaluate the protective value of condom use. Data from the National Survey of Family Growth was used for the analysis. It is estimated that among the roughly 3,500,000 women in the United States who are of reproductive age and who are least likely to be protected against HIV infection (those who are sexually active, not married, and have not used professional clinical assistance for birth control), 12 percent rely upon condoms for birth control. Based on assumptions regarding HIV incidence and relative risk, the likelihood of HIV infection in this group of condom users was projected. At the current rate of HIV infection among U.S. women, which is low, the failure rate of condoms for protection against HIV infection is estimated at less than 1 percent per year, which is lower than the 10 percent failure rate when they are used for birth control. It is estimated that as few as 1 percent, but up to 11 percent, of all new HIV cases could be prevented by the current rate of condom use. But, up to 45 percent of all new HIV infections could be prevented if condoms were used more widely. It should be noted that women whose sexual partners are infected with HIV are at much greater risk for infection if the condoms fail to protect them than are other women. For this very high-risk population, the use of condoms cannot be recommended for protection as they may fail to protect adequately against infection. But for the rest of the women who are at low risk, condom use is recommended and should be more strongly promoted. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Risk factors, Disease transmission, Women's health

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The response of American women to the threat of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases

Article Abstract:

The number of women infected with human immunodeficiency virus is increasing in the United States. In this population, the disease is being spread primarily through heterosexual relationships. Data from the 1988 National Survey of Family Growth reveal that large numbers of American women are changing their behavior in response to the threat of developing AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. A sample of 7,619 out of the approximately 51 million sexually active American women between the ages of 14 and 44 were interviewed. Twenty-eight percent of the women have changed their sexual habits to safer practices. Changes included increased use of condoms, fewer sexual partners, reduced frequency of sexual intercourse, changes in the specific sexual activities, and avoidance of sexual relationships with men who are not known, bisexual, or intravenous drug users. Women who are unmarried and had five or more lifetime sexual partners are at a higher risk of disease. Sixty-five percent of these women have changed their sexual habits. The majority of the women have changed their behavior because they were aware of the risks of AIDS. Although these changes are substantial, there are still many women who have not changed their sexual behavior and thus are at high risk for developing AIDS. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexual behavior, Sexually transmitted diseases, Sexually transmitted disease prevention

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The HIV/AIDS epidemic: a current picture

Article Abstract:

The parameters of the population infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are changing rapidly. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. The first 100,000 cases of AIDS in the United States were reported over eight years. The second 100,000 cases were reported in slightly over two years. More women and adolescents are being infected and they represent the next cresting of the epidemic. A disproportionate number of the women and adolescents infected with HIV are Hispanic or African American. Washington DC, Miami, Philadelphia and Chicago all reported large increases in the number of AIDS cases in 1991. In New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles, AIDS is the leading cause of death in young adult men. More research is being done on the development of the disease in women. Development of culturally sensitive educational strategies must also continue.

United States, Demographic aspects

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