Incidence of HIV-1 infection and effects of clinic-based counseling on HIV preventive behaviors among married women in northern Thailand.
To determine the incidence of and risk factors for HIV-1 infection among married women in northern Thailand, we enrolled 779 seronegative women from family planning clinics and a postpartum ward in Chiang Rai, Thailand, from 1998 through 1999. Women were tested for HIV antibodies at 6 and 12 months after enrollment. They received HIV prevention counseling at enrollment and at each follow-up visit. Counseling covered partner communication, partner HIV testing, and condom use by steady partners. Effects of counseling were measured using standardized questionnaires. Follow-up rates were 94% at 6 months and 92% at 12 months. Only 1 woman seroconverted during the follow-up period, yielding an overall HIV incidence of 0.14 per 100 person-years. After receiving counseling, women reported significantly increased communication with husbands concerning HIV risk, HIV testing, and condom use during the first 6 months after enrollment; communication remained high for 6 to 12 months. Women reported a modest increase in HIV testing and consistent condom use by husbands. The risk for HIV transmission to women in steady relationships is low in northern Thailand. Although HIV prevention counseling promoted partner communication, its effects on HIV preventive behaviors were limited.
Xu
Fujie
F
United States National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. fax1@cdc.gov
Kilmarx
Peter H
PH
Supawitkul
Somsak
S
Manopaiboon
Chomnad
C
Yanpaisarn
Somboonsak
S
Limpakarnjanarat
Khanchit
K
Chaikummao
Supaporn
S
Mock
Philip A
PA
Young
Nancy L
NL
Mastro
Timothy D
TD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003142:Communication; D017280:Condoms; D003376:Counseling; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D018454:Spouses; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
D015483:HIV Antibodies