Document 0300
 DOCN  M9650300
 TI    'Dry sex' and HIV infection among women attending a sexually transmitted
       diseases clinic in Lusaka, Zambia.
 DT    9605
 AU    Sandala L; Lurie P; Sunkutu MR; Chani EM; Hudes ES; Hearst N; Department
       of Dermato-Venereology, University Teaching Hospital,; Lusaka, Zambia.
 SO    AIDS. 1995 Jul;9 Suppl 1:S61-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96085745
 AB    OBJECTIVES: To describe 'dry sex' practices intended to decrease vaginal
       secretions and to determine whether these practices are related to HIV
       infection. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted
       in a sexually transmitted diseases clinic in a teaching hospital in
       Lusaka, Zambia. The subjects comprised 329 women aged 15-50 years
       presenting consecutively for an initial evaluation of sexually
       transmitted disease symptoms. Dry sex practices were assessed by
       questionnaire, and serological testing for HIV antibodies was performed.
       RESULTS: Fifty percent of women had engaged in at least one dry sex
       practice. The most common practices were drinking 'porridge' (a liquid
       or suspension believed to cause drying of the vagina; 28%), removing
       vaginal secretions with a cloth (22%) and placing leaves in the vagina
       (11%). The most frequent reasons given for drinking porridge were to
       increase the partner's sexual enjoyment and to tighten the vagina, while
       cleaning the vagina was mentioned often by those using cloth or leaves.
       Swelling or peeling of the vagina was reported by approximately 10% of
       women using cloth or leaves. Overall, the HIV seroprevalence in the
       sample was 58%. In bivariate analysis, no practice was statistically
       significantly associated with HIV infection. Multiple logistic
       regression had little impact on these findings. CONCLUSIONS: Although a
       variety of practices with potential relevance to HIV transmission were
       reported, there was no evidence in this study population of a strong
       relationship between these practices and HIV infection. Women should be
       counseled about the potential risks of these practices, but prevention
       efforts should continue to emphasize measures of known effectiveness,
       particularly limiting the numbers of sexual partners, consistently using
       condoms and obtaining appropriate treatment for sexually transmitted
       diseases.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Cross-Sectional Studies  *Developing Countries
       Female  Human  HIV Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION &
       CONTROL/*TRANSMISSION  Incidence  Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice  Male
       Middle Age  Risk Factors  *Sex Behavior  Sex Education  Sexually
       Transmitted Diseases/EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL/  *TRANSMISSION
       Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
       Zambia/EPIDEMIOLOGY  JOURNAL ARTICLE

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