Seroprevalence, risk factors and attitude to HIV-1 in a representative sample of lesbians in Turin.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the HIV-1 seroprevalence, behavioural risks and attitude to HIV-1 infection among lesbians.


METHODS
Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, Italy.


METHODS
From March 1992 to May 1993, 181 lesbians were tested for HIV-1 and included in the study.


METHODS
Sociodemographic details, nonsexual risks for HIV-1, sexual behaviour, STD history and attitude to HIV-1 were obtained from an anonymous, standardised, self-administered, 30-item questionnaire. Snow-ball techniques were used to recruit the largest possible number of participants.


RESULTS
11 lesbians (6.1%) were found to be HIV-1 antibody positive. Of them, 10 were intravenous (i.v.) drug users. STD episodes were higher among lesbians with HIV-1 than without (p = 0.04), increasing in both groups over time. Syphilis, genital herpes and viral hepatitis were highly associated with HIV-1 (p = 0.000). In univariate analysis, i.v. drug use, bisexual behaviour, history of STDs, sex during menses and vaginal/anal manipulation were significantly linked to HIV-1 (p = 0.000). In multivariate analysis only history of i.v. drug use (p = 0.04) and bisexual behaviour (p = 0.06) remained independently associated with HIV-1. Seventy-one participants (39.3%) had already undergone AIDS testing. Only 3.5% admitted to be at risk for HIV-1 and 11% changed their sex habits after first hearing of AIDS. No lesbian had ever practised safe-sex. Television was the most important source of information on HIV-1 (84%).


CONCLUSIONS
I.v. drug use was the most likely means of HIV-1 infecting the lesbians of Turin. The high rate of STDs and the low perceived risk to HIV-1 require programmes of STD prevention and AIDS information to be targeted at the lesbian community.
Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, Italy.
R
R
Raiteri
R
R
Fora
P
P
Gioannini
R
R
Russo
A
A
Lucchini
M G
MG
Terzi
D
D
Giacobbi
A
A
Sinicco
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D013997:Time Factors