Document 2368
 DOCN  M94A2368
 TI    Husband HIV discordance among HIV-infected pregnant women, Bangkok,
       Thailand.
 DT    9412
 AU    Roongpisuthipong A; Siriwasin W; Chaiyakul P; Bhiraleus P;
       Laosakkitiboran J; Shaffer N; Mastro TD; Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol
       University, Bangkok.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):32 (abstract no. 103C). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370207
 AB    OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of HIV-negativity (discordance)
       among husbands of HIV-positive pregnant women and to compare risk
       behaviors among wives and husbands in this group. METHODS: At 2 large
       hospitals in Bangkok with regular antenatal HIV counseling and testing,
       husbands of HIV-infected pregnant women are also asked to present for
       HIV counseling and testing. Initially, data on the husbands' risk
       behavior and HIV status were collected from the women as part of a
       perinatal transmission study. Since Nov 1993, a new study administers
       similar questionnaires to both wife and husband to better assess risk
       behavior and knowledge of partners. RESULTS: Among the first 165
       HIV-positive women enrolled during antenatal care in the perinatal
       transmission study, HIV test results were available for 137 (83%)
       husbands. Overall, 35/137 (26%) of husbands were HIV-negative
       (discordant). Husband discordance rates were higher among women who
       reported > 1 lifetime sex partner (27/67; 40%), compared to women who
       reported only 1 lifetime sex partner (8/70; 11%) (OR 5.2; p = 0.0001).
       Of the first 78 partners enrolled in the husband study, 17 (22%) are
       HIV-negative (discordant). Risk factor analyses are ongoing.
       CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women have been extensively surveyed during the
       HIV epidemic, but little is known about their husbands/partners. While
       most pregnant women in Bangkok appear to have no identified risk except
       sex with their husbands, partner testing has revealed that 20-30% of
       husbands are discordantly negative. This suggests that a subgroup of
       HIV-infected pregnant women have discordantly negative. This suggests
       that a subgroup of HIV-infected pregnant women have other risk factors
       and that heterosexual transmission risk in regular relationships is
       bidirectional (male-to-female and female-to-male). A better
       understanding of risk behaviors and perceptions within relationships is
       needed for appropriate counseling and prevention programs.
 DE    Adult  Female  Human  *HIV Seronegativity  HIV
       Seropositivity/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*PSYCHOLOGY  Male  Pregnancy  *Pregnancy
       Complications, Infectious  Prenatal Care  Risk Factors  *Risk-Taking
       Sex Behavior  Thailand/EPIDEMIOLOGY  MEETING ABSTRACT

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