title: Social network dynamics and HIV transmission.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively study changes in the social networks of persons at presumably high risk for HIV in a community with low prevalence and little endogenous transmission.
  
  
  METHODS
  From a cohort of 595 persons at high risk (prostitutes, injecting drug users, and sexual partners of these persons) and nearly 6000 identified contacts, we examined the social networks of a subset of 96 persons who were interviewed once per year for 3 years. We assessed their network configuration, network stability, and changes in risk configuration and risk behavior using epidemiologic and social network analysis, and visualization techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Some significant decrease in personal risk-taking was documented during the course of the study, particularly with regard to needle-sharing. The size and number of connected components (groups that are completely connected) declined. Microstructures (small subgroups of persons that interact intensely) were either not present, or declined appreciably during the period of observation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this area of low prevalence, the lack of endogenous transmission of HIV may be related in part to the lack of a network structure that fosters active propagation, despite the continued presence of risky behaviors. Although the relative contribution of network structure and personal behavior cannot be ascertained from these data, the study suggests an important role for network configuration in the transmission dynamics of HIV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30303-3219, USA.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Rothenberg
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Potterat
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Woodhouse
authors.forename: S Q
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Muth
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Darrow
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Klovdahl
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D016485:Needle Sharing; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous