Homosexual men who engage in high-risk sexual behavior: a multicenter comparison

Article Abstract:

Certain types of sexual behavior among homosexual and bisexual men increase their risk for acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the causative agent of AIDS). Although it is known that reducing the frequency these behaviors has led to reductions in the rates of HIV infection and rectal gonorrhea among this population, the health status of men who continue to engage in high-risk sexual behavior has been less well characterized. In this group, the rate of HIV seropositivity may actually be increasing. (Seropositivity, or testing positive for HIV antibodies, is an indication of HIV infection.) To learn more about this issue, a study carried out in three cities (Chicago, Denver, and San Francisco) assessed male attendees of sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics who practiced high-risk behavior. This was defined as unprotected oral-genital or anal sex with another man during the four months prior to the study. Subjects completed a questionnaire concerning their sociodemographic characteristics, sexual identity, status with respect to sexual partners, AIDS knowledge, drug use, and other variables. Although almost half the subjects said they had a primary male sex partner, only between 12 percent and 21 percent (depending on the city) reported having had sex with just one partner during the preceding four months. Chicago subjects had lower rates of participating in unprotected anal sex (59 percent, compared with 71 percent in Denver and 69 percent in San Francisco subjects). A lower proportion of drug use was also found among the Chicago subjects. One-fourth of the subjects reported one or two episodes of unprotected anal intercourse, but more than 20 percent reported 23 or more such episodes. Men who engaged in unprotected anal sex more frequently used condoms in a smaller proportion of such acts than those who engaged in it less often. Data are presented concerning the rates of STDs among the subjects and the effects of knowing one's HIV status. Unprotected anal sex was more common among subjects who used more drugs, were involved in steady (usually not monogamous) relationships, and were Hispanic. The results support the need for further research concerning the characteristics of homosexual and bisexual men who continue to engage in high-risk sexual behavior. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexual behavior, Sex, Health aspects, Risk factors, AIDS (Disease)

---

Chlamydia trachomatis among patients infected with and treated for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in sexually transmitted disease clinics in the United States

Article Abstract:

Background: For two decades, treatment guidelines for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have recommended empirical co-treatment for chlamydia when patients are treated for gonorrhea. Because the epidemiology of and diagnostic testing for STDs have changed over time, co-treatment may no longer be needed as a clinical or public health strategy. Objective: To assess the prevalence of chlamydia among patients at STD clinics who are infected with and treated for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and to determine whether co-treatment recommendations are still justified. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data from a multisite study. Setting: Five public STD clinics (Baltimore, Maryland; Denver, Colorado; Long Beach, California; Newark, New Jersey; and San Francisco, California). July 1993 through October 1995. Patients: 3885 heterosexual patients (2184 men and 1701 women) who agreed to participate in a trial of counseling interventions and had conclusive results from diagnostic tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia performed routinely as part of the trial. Measurements: Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis as determined by polymerase chain reaction. Results: Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in 20% (95% CI, 16% to 24%) of 411 men and 42% (CI, 35% to 50%) of 151 women with laboratory-confirmed N. gonorrhoeae. Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in 19% (CI, 15% to 22%) of 410 men and 35% (CI, 28% to 43%) of 154 women with treatment indications for gonorrhea who would not otherwise have been treated for chlamydia: chlamydia prevalence among these patients was significantly higher than among patients without treatment indications for either gonorrhea or chlamydia: 7% in men and 9% in women (relative risk, 2.58 [CI, 1.92 to 3.47] and 4.12 [CI, 3.05 to 5.57], respectively). Conclusion: The frequent presence of chlamydia among patients at STD clinics who received treatment for gonorrhea, including sex partners of gonorrhea-infected patients, supports continuing current recommendations for co-treatment.

Labor Distribution by Employer, Statistics, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia infections, Comorbidity, Author Abstract

---

Feasibility and suitability of targeting young gay men for HIV vaccine efficacy trails

Article Abstract:

Young gay men are at high risk for HIV infection, and appropriate participants for HIV vaccine research trials. Researchers surveyed 2,189 gay and bisexual men, and found that those under 25 years of age were twice as likely to be HIV-infected as older men. Most of the surveyed men were willing to take part in vaccine research. Young gay men were less knowledgeable about vaccine concepts, and perceived themselves to be at higher risk of HIV infection from high-risk behavior, than older men. Young men reported they may engage in more high-risk behavior if vaccinated against HIV.

Research, Prevention, Surveys, AIDS vaccines

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Prevalence of HIV infection and high-risk activities in Haiti. Treatment and prophylaxis of Isospora belli infection in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• Abstracts: Effective surgical adjuvant therapy for high-risk rectal carcinoma. Fluorouracil plus levamisole as effective adjuvent therapy after resection of stage III colon carcinoma: a final report
• Abstracts: Fetal panting: yet another response to the external vibratory acoustic stimulation test. part 2 Physiology of isolated long-term variability of the fetal heart rate
• Abstracts: Assessment of Kegel pelvic muscle exercise performance after brief verbal instruction
• Abstracts: Quantification of cervical change: relationship to preterm delivery in the multifetal gestation. Risks of antepartum cervical examination in multifetal gestations

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