Assessing behavioral risk for HIV infection in family-planning and STD clinics: similarities and differences.
Four hundred fifty-five women in family-planning and sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics were surveyed to determine the degree of participation in behaviors known to be associated with increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. A previous history of STD (20%) and multiple sexual partners (73%) were shown to be the high-risk behaviors most prevalent in these populations. Sexual intercourse with persons in high-risk groups (6%) and intravenous (IV) drug use (3.7%) were less prevalent. Differences between the populations from each type of clinic and between races were noted. Overall, almost one third of family-planning clinic clients and nearly half of STD clinic clients reported participation in at least one risk behavior, emphasizing the need for educational efforts toward disease prevention in these settings.
Wasser
S C
SC
Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
Aral
S O
SO
Reed
D S
DS
Bowen
G S
GS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*