Document 2519
 DOCN  M94A2519
 TI    Are STD patients at risk for HIV infection in China?
 DT    9412
 AU    Choi KH; Tian C; Zheng X; Hall T; Coates TJ; Center for AIDS Prevention
       Studies (CAPS), University of; California, San Francisco.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):286 (abstract no. PC0067). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370056
 AB    OBJECTIVE: In China, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are rapidly
       increasing in incidence (a 215% increase from 14,000 cases in 1987 to
       44,117 in 1990). However, little is known about sexual behavior and HIV
       antibody test seeking among STD patients in China. METHODS: In 1993, a
       consecutive sample of STD clinic patients in Beijing (N = 100) and
       Guangzhou (N = 93) completed an anonymous sexual behavior questionnaire.
       Of the total, 55% were female, 42% were married, 47% had less than a
       high school education, and 63% were less than 30 years old (mean = 27).
       Attending physicians reviewed study participants' case records on HIV
       antibody testing. RESULTS: The mean age for sexual initiation was 19
       (range = 13-29) and 26% had 6 or more lifetime sexual partners (median =
       3; range = 1-40). One third had provided sex for money and 23% had paid
       money for sex. In the past year, 88% had more than one partner; a
       majority (76%) were engaged in vaginal intercourse, but some were also
       engaged in anal (16%) or oral sex (8%). Despite their high risk
       behaviors, condom use was extremely low. Among those in a primary sexual
       relationship in the past year, 40% never used condoms during vaginal
       sex, 51% used them sometimes, and 9% always used them; 74% never used
       condoms during anal sex, 26% used them sometimes, and none consistently
       used them; and 87% never used condoms during oral sex, 11% used them
       sometimes, and none always used them. Condom use was less frequent with
       casual relative to primary sexual partners in the past year (57%
       non-use, 33% inconsistent use, and 10% consistent use during vaginal
       sex; 88% non-use, 12% inconsistent use, and 0% consistent use during
       anal sex; 89% non-use, 11% inconsistent use, and 0% consistent use
       during oral sex). Of the 121 patients tested for HIV antibodies, no one
       was positive. However, 37% of the sample (7% in Beijing and 63% in
       Guangzhou) still had not received HIV screening tests. CONCLUSIONS: Our
       preliminary data strongly suggest that (1) HIV would spread rapidly
       among STD patients in China should the HIV infection rate in this
       population increase and (2) there is a need to monitor HIV infection and
       to promote condoms among STD patients and their sexual partners.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  China  Female  Human  HIV Infections/*TRANSMISSION
       Male  Risk Factors  Sex Behavior  Sexually Transmitted
       Diseases/*TRANSMISSION  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
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