Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence in persons attending STD clinics in the United States, 1985-1987

Article Abstract:

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is responsible for the sexually transmitted disease (STD) acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV is transmitted by transferring infected blood. Groups at particular risk are intravenous drug users and homosexuals. Although seroprevalence, the presence of antibodies to HIV in the blood (indicating exposure to HIV), occurs less frequently among heterosexuals, heterosexual transmission of HIV is common in underdeveloped countries. Clinics in the United States which focus on treating individuals with STDs see many high-risk patient groups. Particular sexual behaviors found in these patients, such as having many different sexual partners and lack of condom use, contribute to an increased risk for HIV infection. A history of high risk sexual behavior can be used to track HIV seroprevalence among heterosexuals attending STD clinics. Of the 23 studies available, nine include information on the seroprevalence of STD clinic patients. Of 21,352 patients attending these clinics between 1985 and 1987, 899 (4.2 percent) tested positive for HIV; 5.9 percent of men and 1.7 percent of women. The average rate of seroprevalence found through clinic visits was 3.5 percent. The average rate of seroprevalence was 32.2 percent in clinics having a high homosexual population. The average rate of seroprevalence among heterosexual intravenous drug users ranged was 3.6 percent. Homosexual and bisexual men had the highest rate, 32.2 percent seroprevalence. The average rate of seroprevalence in heterosexuals denying intravenous drug use was 0.9 percent. The rates of seroprevalence in various regions and among various age groups is also noted. It is concluded that STD clinics document high rates of seroprevalence and that these clinics can be used to track the incidence of HIV infection relative to the high-risk sexual behaviors of the patients.

Ambulatory care facilities, Demographic aspects, Surveys, HIV (Viruses), HIV, AIDS (Disease), Clinics

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Condom use among patients attending six sexually transmitted disease clinics in Switzerland

Article Abstract:

A high percentage of people who have acquired sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may have never used condoms. There are similar risk factors for acquiring STDs and for acquiring HIV. Swiss researchers found that 46.3% of 2,257 STD patients said they had never used condoms. Heterosexual men and women over 30 were more likely to say they had never used condoms than were heterosexuals under 30 or homosexual men. Heterosexual men with higher levels of education were more likely to use condoms than men with less education. Heterosexuals with more sexual partners in the last six months were more likely to have used condoms than those with fewer sexual partners. STD clinics may need to continue to promote condom use to lower the rate of STDs.

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

Article Abstract:

Future interventions designed to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in developing countries such as Zimbabwe could address several risky sexual behavior patterns. Questionnaires on sexual behavior were completed by three groups of 256 men in Zimbabwe with either genital ulcer disease (GUD), other STDs, or other minor ailments (control group). Patients with GUD or other STDs were 17.4 and 3.4 times more likely to have been with a prostitute, respectively, than the control group and were also more likely to have had a new sexual partner. Routine condom use was less than 30% in all groups.

Sexual behavior, Health aspects, Africans, Harare, Zimbabwe, Zimbabweans

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Trends in HIV seroprevalence among persons attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in the United States, 1988-1992
• Abstracts: Trends in HIV seroprevalence among persons attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in the United States, 1988-1992. part 2
• Abstracts: Trends and predictors of human immunodeficiency virus antibody testing by homosexual and bisexual adolescent males, 1989-1994
• Abstracts: Study: fewer HIV-infected babies being born. Mother's RNA levels predict fetal HIV transmission risk. Appointment seen as booster shot for AIDS vaccine program
• Abstracts: Risk factors for infection in women undergoing testing for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Manitoba, Canada

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