Document 2483
 DOCN  M94A2483
 TI    Differences between bisexual and heterosexual women in self-reported
       HIV-risk behavior, Los Angeles County.
 DT    9412
 AU    Simon P; Wiley D; Ford W; HIV Epidemiology Program, Los Angeles, CA
       90005.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):294 (abstract no. PC0102). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370092
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To assess differences in HIV-risk behavior between bisexual
       and heterosexual women attending public sexually transmitted disease
       (STD) clinics in Los Angeles County. METHODS: We analyzed data from
       women at eight STD clinics who consented to HIV antibody testing and
       completed a standardized interview between June 1990 and December 1992.
       Drug use and sexual behavior were compared for women reporting
       exclusively heterosexual activity and those reporting bisexual activity
       since 1978. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals were
       calculated after adjusting for racial/ethnic, age, and educational
       differences between the two groups. RESULTS: Bisexual activity was
       reported by 271 (3.4%) of the 7,868 women who participated. Four (1.5%)
       bisexual women and 61 (0.8%) heterosexual women were HIV seropositive
       (OR 1.7 [0.5, 5.4]). Bisexual women were more likely than heterosexual
       women to report injection drug use (24.1% vs. 4.0%; OR 8.2 [5.8, 11.6]),
       cocaine use during the preceding 6 months (39.1% vs. 12.8%; OR 3.6 [2.7,
       4.8]), sex with a bisexual man (35.6% vs. 4.3%; OR 9.5 [6.8, 13.2]), sex
       with a man who injects drugs (37.4% vs. 10.3%; OR 4.5 [3.3, 6.2]), anal
       intercourse (42.0% vs. 14.8%; OR 3.2 [2.4, 4.3]), and trading sex for
       money or drugs (43.4% vs. 10.9%; OR 5.7 [4.3, 7.6]). Among women
       reporting sex with 1 or more men during the preceding 12 months, 54.4%
       of heterosexual women and 31.8% of bisexual women reported no condom use
       (OR 2.4 [1.7, 3.2]). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: While HIV
       seroprevalence in this STD clinic population was relatively low,
       bisexual women were much more likely than heterosexual women to engage
       in behaviors that increase their risk of HIV infection. Specific efforts
       should be made to intensify STD and drug prevention and treatment
       services for bisexual women.
 DE    *Bisexuality  Comparative Study  Female  Human  HIV
       Infections/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION  HIV Seroprevalence  Male
       Risk Factors  *Sex Behavior  Sexual Partners  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).