Interaction between Set1p and checkpoint protein Mec3p in DNA repair and telomere functions

OBJECTIVES: This article describes the implementation and impact of the first statewide condom social marketing intervention in the United States. METHODS: A statewide social marketing program made condoms freely available in 93 public health clinics, 39 community mental health centers, 29 substance abuse treatment sites, and more than 1000 businesses in neighborhoods with high rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV. Surveys about condom use were conducted annually. RESULTS: Between 1994 and 1996, more than 33 million condoms were distributed without significant opposition. Over time, self-reported condom use at the last sexual encounter increased among African American women (from 28% in 1994 to 36% in 1996), particularly African American women with 2 or more sex partners (from 30% to 48%). Condom use at the last sexual encounter increased among African American men (from 40% in 1994 to an average of 54% in 1996). The number of reported sex partners did not increase. CONCLUSIONS: Condom social marketing can be successfully implemented in the United States. The widespread availability of free condoms is associated with increased condom use, particularly among persons at high risk for STDs and HIV.     

Predictors of intention to use condoms among university women: An application and extension of the theory of planned behavior.

The purpose of the study was to identify the variables that best predict whether or not young women intend to use condoms during their sexual encounters with new partners. 187 heterosexually experienced undergraduate women (mean age 20.9 yrs) completed a questionnaire battery including variables to assess all components of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (T0PB). The TOPB was a useful model for predicting intention to use condoms with a new partner. Prediction was improved beyond the TOPB by including specific beliefs (condom use demonstrates responsible sexual activity, condom use does not destroy trust), group norms, and birth control use (mediated by attitudes toward condoms). The practical implications for AIDS prevention programs designed to promote condom use among women are also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Regulation of the iron uptake genes in Pseudomonas fluorescens M114 by pseudobactin M114: the pbrA sigma factor gene does not mediate the siderophore regulatory response

OBJECTIVE: To review factors associated with adolescent condom use for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). DATA SOURCES: Thirty-six references on adolescent development, STDs, STD risk factors, and factors influencing condom use among heterosexual adolescents. STUDY SELECTION: Twenty-two research articles addressing issues influencing condom use by heterosexual adolescents. DATA SYNTHESIS: This review identifies unique risk factors related to adolescents and their risk for STDs, barriers to and facilitators of condom use, and suggestions for health care providers to increase condom use among adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Although research on condom use among adolescents has inherent difficulties, current findings, along with reported high rates of STDs in this population, indicate infrequent and inconsistent condom use. Many factors contribute to the motivation for condom use and should be assessed individually. Using the Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework, health care providers can guide the adolescent to make realistic risk assessments and identify positive ways of incorporating condoms into their sexual lives. Further research then must be conducted to test the effectiveness of this approach.     

Psychosocial factors associated with the stages of change for condom use among women at risk for HIV and STDs: implications for intervention development

This study examined the prevalence of consistent condom use among inner-city women at risk for HIV, measured the distribution of these women across the stages of change for condom use, determined psychosocial factors associated with the stages, and suggested intervention strategies based on the results. The 5-city sample of women aged 15-34 years consisted predominantly of African Americans. Only 18% reported consistent condom use with main partners and 45% with other partners. Logistic regressions compared women in each stage of change with those in higher stages for each partner type. Results indicated that women who practice or intend to practice consistent condom use were more likely to talk with others about condoms, acknowledge the advantages of condoms, have higher self-efficacy for condom use, and indicate that people important to them favored condom use. Intervention approaches are suggested for women in different stages of change for condom use.     

The effects of an abusive primary partner on the condom use and sexual negotiation practices of African-American women

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the consequences of having a physically abusive primary partner on the condom use and sexual negotiation practices of young African-American women. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 165 sexually active African-American women aged 18 through 29 in San Francisco, Calif. RESULTS: Women in abusive relationships were less likely than others to use condoms and were more likely to experience verbal abuse, emotional abuse, or threats of physical abuse when they discussed condoms. They were more fearful of asking their partners to use condoms, worried more about acquiring the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and felt more isolated than did women not in abusive relationships. CONCLUSIONS: HIV prevention programs for women should address domestic violence prevention strategies.     

Prioritizing education about condom use among sexually active adolescent females

Many factors have been shown to influence condom use among adolescents, including negative experiences with prior use, risk-taking behaviors, perception of condom efficacy, and self-efficacy in obtaining and using condoms. In order to help prioritize topics for clinic-based education, this study attempted to determine which factors are most significantly associated with planned condom use. A 53-item questionnaire was administered to sexually active females presenting consecutively to an adolescent clinic. Two hundred ethnically and religiously diverse patients, with a median age of 17 years, participated. Median age at first sexual encounter was 15. Median number of lifetime partners was 2, with a median of 1 partner in the last year. Past condom use was reported by 88%, with 22% always, 38% usually, and 26% occasionally using condoms. Only 47% had used condoms during their most recent sexual encounter. Negative experiences with condom use were reported by 85%. Only 54% stated they would definitely use condoms during their next sexual encounter. Intent to use condoms in the future was significantly associated with both past use and fear of HIV infection. Intent was not significantly associated with most prior negative experiences, perception of condom efficacy in preventing STDs and pregnancy, or other perceived benefits of condom use. Thus, this novel approach to prioritizing topics revealed that health education among a clinic-based population should emphasize condom use from the onset of sexual activity, as well as its efficacy in preventing HIV infection.     

Changes in attitude, sexual behaviour and the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission in southwest Nigeria

This pilot study was carried out in southwest Nigeria to determine the current trends in sexual behaviours known to be associated with HIV transmission in Nigeria. Knowledge of AIDS in general and as an incurable disease was high (91.4% and 79.4% respectively). Knowledge of the means of AIDS transmission was also very high among both men and women. Overall, condom use was consistent at 25%, inconsistent at 55% and non-existent at 20% for all sexually active respondents. Over 60 per cent of sexually active respondents had two or more sexual partners, with significantly more males than females having this number of sexual partners (p < 0.01). Eighteen per cent of sexually active respondents had a history of sex with commercial sex workers while 25% had a history of at least one sexually transmitted disease. Using multiple logistic regression, the significant determinants of condom use among the sexually active group were: being in a stable sexual relationship, history of sex with commercial sex workers, self-perception of testing positive for HIV and self-perception of HIV/AIDS risk in Nigeria. Prevalence of condom use in this study was much higher than those reported in previous studies, suggesting a probable decline in high risk sexual behaviours among inhabitants of urban Southwest Nigeria since the advent of AIDS. Most sexually active respondents aged 19 years or below (adolescents) who perceived themselves at a high risk of testing positive for HIV had never used condoms. The non usage of condoms among this group of adolescents is disturbing, since they are at greatest risk of spreading the disease. Health education and promotion of safe sex practices need to be extensively targeted at adolescents.     

HIV risk correlates among non-injection cocaine dependent men in treatment

Guided by the AIDS Risk Reduction Model (ARRM), psychosocial correlates of HIV risk behavior were examined among noninjection cocaine dependent, heterosexual men (NI-CD-HM) in treatment. Subjects (N = 111) completed a structured interview to measure ARRM mediating variables and HIV risk behaviors. The results indicated that greater perceived susceptibility to contracting HIV, lower sexual self-efficacy, higher lifetime incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, and being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs during sex predicted having more sexual partners in the month prior to admission. Despite adequate knowledge of safer sex guidelines, subjects remained misinformed regarding certain aspects of HIV transmission. Men who perceived that their partners viewed condoms more positively and who exchanged drugs for sex were more likely to use condoms, yet condom use skills were typically inadequate to ensure effective prevention. These results suggest that HIV prevention interventions among NI-CD-HM should focus on improving knowledge, enhancing beliefs in the capacity to enact safer sex behaviors for preventing HIV and other STDs, building relevant skills (e.g., condom use, open sexual communication between partners), and emphasizing psychoactive substance abstinence. Couple interventions, in which partners actually rehearse safer sex negotiations, may be particularly effective in this regard.     

Women HIV sexual risk takers: related behaviors, interpersonal issues, and attitudes

HIV and AIDS is a growing health risk for heterosexual women, particularly women of color (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1997). Our research identified 5 types of HIV sexual risk taking in 3 independent samples of adult women from a New England Community: Group A women were noted by low to moderate levels of the 4 risk markers (i.e., unprotected vaginal sex, perceived partner-related risk, number of sexual partners, and unprotected anal sex); Group B women reported very high frequency of unprotected vaginal sex; Group C women were characterized by unprotected anal sex; Group D women had high perceived partner risk; and Group E women reported extremely high levels on all 4 HIV risk markers. Sexual risk groups were validated by demonstrating significant differences among groups on relevant behaviors, interpersonal experiences, and attitudes. Compared to other women, higher risk types reported greater behavioral risk practices (substance use, prostitution, diverse sexual experience), interpersonal risk experiences (sexual abuse, violence), initiation sexual assertiveness, and attitudinal risks (psychosocial distress). They reported less interpersonal assurance (surety of own and partner's HIV status), sexual assertiveness (for condom use and partner communication), psychosocial strengths (sexual self-acceptance), and transtheoretical readiness for change (condom use efficacy, readiness to consider condoms). Results provide additional support for the multifaceted model of HIV risk and the transtheoretical model. Suggestions for specifically focused interventions are given, depending on the pattern of sexual risk taking.     

High HIV prevalence, low condom use and gender differences in sexual behaviour among patients with STD-related complaints at a Nairobi primary health care clinic

Of 22,274 patients > or = 12 years old attending a Nairobi primary health care (PHC) clinic, 1076 (4.8%) had STD-related complaints, of whom 980 underwent assessment of risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and infrequent condom use. Gonorrhoea, chancroid, syphilis seroactivity, trichomoniasis, or objective signs of STD were found in 78%, and HIV seropositivity in 15% of men and 19% of women. Most women were married, living with a spouse; while most men were single, or married, but living separated from a spouse. Among married men, last sex was with a female sex worker (FSW) or casual partner for 60% not living with a spouse and 26% living with a spouse (P<0.005). Two or more partners during the past year were reported by 82% of men and 25% of women (P <0.001), and 55% of men and 11% of women reported the last partner was high risk. HIV seropositivity among both genders was associated with numbers of partners, and among women, with being widowed or divorced. Only 3% reported use of a condom with the last partner. Among men whose last sex was with a FSW, 74% said the reason for not using a condom was not having one. Thus, infrequent condom use, low condom availability, and gender differences in behaviour necessitate modifying development policies that separate families; and better coordination between family planning, PHC, and AIDS/STD programmes, with improved supply, social marketing and community-based distribution of condoms in high-risk settings for STD/HIV prevention.     

Determinants of condom use among intravenous drug users

OBJECTIVE: To examine the factors associated with condom use among a cohort of sexually active intravenous drug users (IVDU). DESIGN: Data were collected via personal interview at the fourth-month assessment point of a longitudinal study monitoring HIV infection and risk behaviors among IVDU. SETTING: A community-based methadone clinic. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 158 sexually active heterosexual male and female IVDU, including both methadone patients and out-of-treatment individuals with a history of opiate abuse. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We describe a new approach to identify the determinants of condom use. Previous studies have described subjects as either 'condom users' or 'condom non-users', using an individual's overall behavior as the unit of analysis. By analyzing condom use during the most recent sexual encounter, we avoided the problem of interpreting inconsistent condom use. Data were analyzed using forward stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: Thirty-four per cent of the heterosexual subjects (n = 160) reported using a condom during their last sexual encounter. Being HIV-positive and having either a causal or commercial partner were each associated with increased probability of using a condom (odds ratio, 10.6, 4.4 and 12.1, respectively). No interactions with sex were found. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that knowing that one is HIV-positive is an important determinant of condom use; HIV testing may therefore increase the use of condoms. In addition, interventions to change sexual behaviors may need to focus on the type of sexual partner.     

The risk of ectopic pregnancy after tubal sterilization. U.S. Collaborative Review of Sterilization Working Group

BACKGROUND: Tubal sterilization is an increasingly common method of contraception in the United States. Although pregnancy after sterilization is uncommon, it can occur and may be ectopic. We used data from the U.S. Collaborative Review of Sterilization to estimate the risk of ectopic pregnancy in women who had undergone the common types of tubal sterilization. METHODS: A total of 10,685 women undergoing tubal sterilization were followed in a multicenter, prospective cohort study. We intended to follow all the women for 5 years by means of annual telephone interviews; for women enrolled early in the study, we attempted an additional follow-up telephone interview 8 to 14 years after sterilization. To assess the risk of ectopic pregnancy in these women, we used cumulative life-table probabilities and proportional-hazards analysis. RESULTS: There were 47 ectopic pregnancies in the 10,685 women; the 10-year cumulative probability of ectopic pregnancy for all methods of tubal sterilization combined was 7.3 per 1000 procedures. The cumulative probability varied substantially according to the method of sterilization and the woman's age at the time of sterilization. Women sterilized by bipolar tubal coagulation before the age of 30 years had a probability of ectopic pregnancy that was 27 times as high as that among women of similar age who underwent postpartum partial salpingectomy (31.9 vs. 1.2 ectopic pregnancies per 1000 procedures). The annual rate of ectopic pregnancy for all methods combined in the 4th through 10th years after sterilization was no lower than that in the first 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: A history of tubal sterilization does not rule out the possibility of ectopic pregnancy, even many years after the procedure.     

Attitudes toward condoms and experience with their use among sex education teachers

BACKGROUND: The sex education is influenced by knowledge and attitudes. The aim of presented study was to evaluate the attitudes toward condom among sex education teachers and their personal experience with its use. METHODS AND RESULTS: Attitudes toward condoms were measured by 10-items anonymous questionnaires according to Zv?rina and Lippert. Personal experience was subjectively assumed in 5-point scale. The samples consists of 230 sex education teachers, among them 193 (84%) women. The average age was 40.5 +/- 9.7 years, in the range from 19 to 60 years. 37 teachers (16%) assigned themselves as religious. Condom was evaluated as a good protection against HIV and other STD in almost all answers. Three fifths of teachers considered condom to be an excellent contraception. 48% teachers did not know if the majority of women dislike condom. One tenth respondents rejected the opinion that the men dislike condoms. One tenth of teachers has never experienced condom personally. 12 percent stated to use it regularly, among them are more represented men. The opinions about quality of condom and decreased sensitivity by condom differ believers from atheists and users from non-users. CONCLUSIONS: Attitudes toward condom are predominantly liberal among Czech sex education teachers. The personal experience with use is common but not regular. The religion has small influence toward the attitudes and use.     

Dual-method use among an ethnically diverse group of women at risk of HIV infection

CONTEXT: Few U.S. women protect themselves against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) by using an efficient contraceptive method and a condom. Understanding the factors that influence dual-method use could help improve interventions aimed at encouraging protective behaviors. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 552 low-income women at risk of HIV who attended public health or economic assistance facilities in Miami in 1994 and 1995. Multinomial logit analyses were used to determine the influence of women's background characteristics, perceived vulnerability to pregnancy and AIDS, and relationship characteristics on the odds of dual-method use. RESULTS: Overall, 20% of the women used dual methods. Women who were not married, who worried about both pregnancy and AIDS, who had ever had an STD, who were confident they could refuse a sexual encounter in the absence of a condom and who made family planning decisions jointly with their partner were the most likely to use dual methods rather than a single method (odds ratios, 2.0-3.5); those who considered the condom only somewhat effective in preventing AIDS or who shared economic decision-making with their partner were the least likely to use dual methods rather than a single method (0.5-0.6). The results were generally similar in analyses examining the odds of dual-method use involving an efficient contraceptive, except that black and Hispanic women were significantly more likely than whites to use condoms in conjunction with efficient contraceptives (3.3-7.1). CONCLUSIONS: Both women's individual characteristics and the context of their sexual relationships influence whether they simultaneously protect themselves from pregnancy and HIV. The involvement of male partners in family planning decision-making and women's control over economic decision-making ensure greater protection against HIV infection.     

Gender differences in risk behaviors among HIV+ persons with an IDU history. The link between partner characteristics and women's higher drug-sex risks. The Manif 2000 Study Group

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Risk-taking behaviors differ among women and men injection drug users (IDU). GOAL: To specify the nature of sexual and drug risk-taking among women IDU and ex-IDU and how it relates to partner characteristics. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis of 324 HIV+ subjects enrolled into a prospective cohort study in Marseille, France. RESULTS: Women, as compared with men, were considerably more likely to report nonuse of condoms with a main partner (31% versus 12%). They were more likely to shoot with a partner at last injection (39% versus 12%), but far less likely to sterilize used needles (4% versus 16%). Two thirds of both men and women reported consistent condom use with a seronegative partner, but only 47% of men and 23% of women reported the same with a seropositive partner. Among the women only, needle and syringe sharing was associated with consistent use of a condom. CONCLUSIONS: Women reported behaviors which protect their partners from STD infection more frequently than behaviors which protect themselves. Greater attention must be paid to sexual risk-taking among HIV+ women.     

Trends in sexually transmitted diseases and condom use patterns among commercial sex workers in Fukuoka City, Japan 1990-93

OBJECTIVE: To investigate trends in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among female commercial sex workers and in their condom use patterns during the period from 1990 to 1993 in Fukuoka, Japan. METHODS: The study group consisted of a total of 824 commercial sex workers who attended an STD clinic to undergo screening for STDs including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV-1 infection during the period from 1990 to 1993. For detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, endocervical smear specimens were taken from the women. Blood samples were obtained for serological diagnosis of syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV-1. Commercial sex workers who visited the clinic during the period from November to December of 1993 were interviewed concerning past (1990 and 1991) and recent (1992 and 1993) condom use patterns. RESULTS: The annual detection rates of C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae declined significantly from 16.3% in 1990 to 12.2% in 1993 (P < 0.0001) and from 1.5% in 1990 to 0.8% in 1993 (P = 0.0096), respectively. There was a remarkable reduction in the annual syphilis infection rate, from 7.5% in 1990 to 0.5% in 1993 (P = 0.0011). The positive rate for the hepatitis B surface antigen in the women ranged from only 0.6% to 1.9% and none were found to be positive for HIV-1 during the 4-year period. During the same period, there was a significant increase in the proportion of commercial sex workers always using condoms from 6.3% in 1990-91 to 25.3% in 1992-93 (P = 0.0023). CONCLUSION: The prevalences of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis infections decreased significantly among commercial sex workers in Fukuoka from 1990 through 1993, and no commercial sex workers were HIV-1 seropositive. The reductions in the prevalence of major STDs may be related to the increased use of condoms.     

Late results of surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm

Little is known concerning sexually experienced and inexperienced adolescent girls' perceptions of the prevalence of condom use and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Girls (n = 174; 41% sexually experienced) rated the prevalence of condom use among friends and STDs among male and female friends and adolescents in general. Girls perceive the prevalence of STDs similarly across both gender and level of familiarity. For the most part, however, the girls perceived the prevalence among boys and girls more similarly than among friends and adolescents in general. No significant differences were found between sexually experienced and inexperienced girls in perceptions of condom use prevalence, but girls with a history of STD perceived condoms as used less frequently. Girls with an STD history perceived STDs as the most prevalent, followed by sexually inexperienced girls and then sexually experienced girls without a history of an STD. After an adolescent girl initiates sexual intercourse, STD experience could be a key variable in affecting her perceptions. Prevention programs can incorporate an understanding of patients' perceptions of condom use and STDs.     

Trends in contraceptive use in the United States: 1982-1995

CONTEXT: Trends in contraceptive use have implications for shifts in pregnancy rates and birthrates and can inform clinical practice of changes in needs for contraceptive methods and services. METHODS: Information on current contraceptive use was collected from a representative sample of women of reproductive age in the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG). This information is compared with similar data from 1982 and 1988 to examine trends in use, both overall and in social and demographic subgroups. RESULTS: The proportion of U.S. women using a contraceptive method rose from 56% in 1982 to 60% in 1988 and 64% in 1995. As in 1982 and 1988, female sterilization, the pill and the male condom were the most widely used methods in 1995. Between 1988 and 1995, the proportion of users relying on the pill decreased from 31% to 27%, while condom use rose from 15% to 20%. The largest decreases in pill use and the largest increases in condom use occurred among never-married women and among black women younger than 25. Reliance on the IUD dropped sharply among Hispanic women, while use of the diaphragm fell among college-educated white women. CONCLUSIONS: The decline in pill and diaphragm use and the increase in reliance on condoms suggest that concerns about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases are changing patterns of method use among unmarried women.     

Spread of HIV infection in married monogamous women in India

CONTEXT: A high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in female sex workers (FSWs) and men who attend sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics poses a risk for spread of infection to other populations. OBJECTIVE: To examine spread of HIV to a low-risk population by comparing prevalence of, and risk factors for, HIV and STDs in FSWs and non-FSWs. METHODS: Women attending STD clinics in Pune, India, were assessed for STDs and HIV from May 13, 1993, to July 11, 1996. Demographic and behavioral information was collected, and clinical and laboratory assessment was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence and risk determinants of HIV infection. RESULTS: Of 916 women enrolled, 525 were FSWs and 391 were non-FSWs. Prevalence of HIV in FSWs and non-FSWs was 49.9% and 13.6%, respectively (P<.001). In multivariate analysis, inconsistent condom use and genital ulcer disease or genital warts were associated with prevalent HIV in FSWs. History of sexual contact with a partner with an STD was associated with HIV in non-FSWs. CONCLUSIONS: Infection with HIV is increasing in non-FSWs, previously thought to be at low risk in India. Since history of sexual contact with their only sex partner was the only risk factor significantly associated with HIV infection, it is likely that these women are being infected by their spouses. This underscores the need for strengthening partner-notification strategies and counseling facilities in India.     

Molecular mechanism of limb muscle patterning

A national household survey of a representative sample of 9,984 individuals aged 15 years or over, carried out in 1996 using a combination of face-to-face interviews and self-completion questionnaires, was analyzed in order to describe the frequency of HIV sexual risk behaviours and condom use in Spain. Of a total of 8,101 persons (81%) who completed the questionnaire, 37% reported no sexual partner during the previous 12 months, 57% reported one partner and 6% reported more than one partner. Three per cent reported engaging in HIV sexual risk behaviour (i.e. more than one partner and failure to use a condom systematically), a pattern of behaviour which showed independent positive association with the male sex, an age of 20-59 years and being unmarried. Among those who had casual sexual partners during the preceding 12 months, 38% had always used condoms. In the multivariate analysis, failure to use a condom systematically with casual partners was associated with a higher age and being married. Of those who had regular partners during the previous 12 months, 26% had always used condoms, a finding associated with a lower age, higher educational level, unmarried status and non-cohabitation with the sexual partner. This survey has furnished some useful indicators for prevention purposes. Periodic repetition of this survey would enable possible changes in sexual risk behaviours to be detected.