title: Heterosexual transmission of HIV analysed by generalized estimating equations.
abstract: A longitudinal analysis of a partner study is compared with a cross-sectional analysis which identify behavioural and biological risk factors for heterosexual transmission of HIV. Using generalized estimating equations (GEEs) a random effects logistic model is used for the longitudinal analysis. These approaches are illustrated by the Edinburgh heterosexual partner study. The longitudinal analysis finds that 'high-risk' sexual practices, unprotected intercourse for HIV and a low CD4 count in the index case significantly increase the risk of HIV transmission. The cross-sectional analysis, however, only indicates 'high-risk' sexual practices as favourable for HIV transmission.
authors.affiliation: MRC-BIAS, Centre for HIV Research, Edinburgh, U.K.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Fielding
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Brettle
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Gore
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wyld
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weightman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012606:Scotland; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners