OBJECTIVE: To describe risks for HIV transmission from male blood donors to their regular female sex partners in Chiang Mai, Thailand. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: From March 1992 through September 1995, 405 HIV-seropositive male blood donors (index cases) and their regular female partners were enrolled in the study. Women with risk factors for HIV infection other than sexual contact with the index male were excluded. Couples were interviewed and examined; specimens were collected for laboratory analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 46% of the 405 women enrolled were HIV-positive. Ninety-eight per cent of male index cases had a history of sex with a female prostitute; 1.5% reported always using condoms with their regular partner. History of sexually transmitted disease (STD) and swollen inguinal lymph nodes in the female partner were associated with an increased risk of HIV infection in the female. History in the female of genital herpes [odds ratio (OR), 3.46; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.50-8.78], gonorrhea or chlamydia infection (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.39-5.53), and stable relationship of longer than 24 months (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.02-5.09) were associated with an increased risk of HIV infection in the female. Consistent condom use in the past 2 years (OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.01-0.79) was associated with a decreased risk of HIV infection in the female. CONCLUSIONS: Married women in northern Thailand who appear otherwise to be at low risk for HIV infection may be exposed to this virus by their husbands. High rates of sex with commercial sex workers among men and low use of condoms within stable relationships may be important factors promoting the transmission of HIV in married couples. Programs to increase the regular use of condoms among married couples could be an important public health intervention to prevent transmission of HIV and other types of STD in northern Thailand.
OBJECTIVE: To describe risks for HIV transmission from male blood donors to their regular female sex partners in Chiang Mai, Thailand. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: From March 1992 through September 1995, 405 HIV-seropositive male blood donors (index cases) and their regular female partners were enrolled in the study. Women with risk factors for HIV infection other than sexual contact with the index male were excluded. Couples were interviewed and examined; specimens were collected for laboratory analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 46% of the 405 women enrolled were HIV-positive. Ninety-eight per cent of male index cases had a history of sex with a female prostitute; 1.5% reported always using condoms with their regular partner. History of sexually transmitted disease (STD) and swollen inguinal lymph nodes in the female partner were associated with an increased risk of HIV infection in the female. History in the female of genital herpes [odds ratio (OR), 3.46; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.50-8.78], gonorrhea or chlamydia infection (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.39-5.53), and stable relationship of longer than 24 months (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.02-5.09) were associated with an increased risk of HIV infection in the female. Consistent condom use in the past 2 years (OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.01-0.79) was associated with a decreased risk of HIV infection in the female. CONCLUSIONS: Married women in northern Thailand who appear otherwise to be at low risk for HIV infection may be exposed to this virus by their husbands. High rates of sex with commercial sex workers among men and low use of condoms within stable relationships may be important factors promoting the transmission of HIV in married couples. Programs to increase the regular use of condoms among married couples could be an important public health intervention to prevent transmission of HIV and other types of STD in northern Thailand.
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Keywords:
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome--prevention and control; Asia; Biology; Blood Donors; Blood Supply; Couples; Cross Sectional Analysis; Developing Countries; Diseases; Equipment And Supplies; Family And Household; Family Characteristics; Hiv Infections--transmission; Infections; Reproductive Tract Infections; Research Methodology; Research Report; Risk Factors; Sexually Transmitted Diseases--prevention and control; Southeastern Asia; Thailand; Viral Diseases
Authors: Simon Wandel; Matthias Egger; Ram Rangsin; Kenrad E Nelson; Caroline Costello; Charlotte Lewden; Tom Lutalo; Anthony Ndyanabo; Jim Todd; Lieve Van der Paal; Albert Minga; Marcel Zwahlen Journal: Sex Transm Infect Date: 2008-08 Impact factor: 3.519