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Biomedical subjects

W Rojanapithayakorn

Publications and source records attributed to W Rojanapithayakorn.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Acceptability of the female condom among sex workers in Thailand: results from a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The female condom may provide women with the first female-controlled barrier method that is effective against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. GOAL: This study evaluated the acceptability of the female condom among sex workers in Thailand. STUDY DESIGN: Data on use and acceptability of the female condom were collected using a structured questionnaire during an 8-week follow-up. RESULTS: Analyses included 148 women who were still in follow-up at week 8. Sex workers used, on average, 2.8 female condoms per week. The overall satisfaction rate with the female condom was 68%, although, among users, 31% had difficulties in device insertion, 37% had pain from the inner ring, and 22% reported itching sensations. The main reason for using the female condom in the future was its perceived safety, and the main reason for not using it would be the client's refusal. CONCLUSION: Two-thirds of the sex workers were satisfied with the female condom. Difficulties at insertion, discomfort during use, and clients' attitude were potential obstacles to the use of the female condom in the future.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Protection against sexually transmitted diseases by granting sex workers in Thailand the choice of using the male or female condom: results from a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The male condom is the most effective barrier method available for protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV infection. There is an urgent need to develop and evaluate other prevention methods, such as the female condom. This study estimated the additional protection against STDs offered to sex workers by giving them the option of using the female condom when clients refused to use a male condom. METHODS: Sex establishments in four cities in Thailand were randomized into two study groups: one in which sex workers were instructed to use male condoms consistently (male condom group); and one in which sex workers had the option of using the female condom if clients refused or were not able to use male condoms (male/female condom group). Randomization was done by sex establishments, and not by individuals, to minimize sharing of female condoms across study groups. The proportion of unprotected sexual acts (defined as sexual acts in which condoms were not used, tore, or slipped in or out) and incidence rate of STDs (gonorrhoea, chlamydial infection, trichomoniasis and genital ulcer disease) were measured over a 24-week period and compared between the two study groups. FINDINGS: Results are available from 34 sex establishments (249 women) in the male/female condom group, and 37 sex establishments (255 women) in the male condom group. Condom use was very high in both groups (97.9 and 97.3 % of all sexual acts, respectively, P > 0.05). Male condom use was lower in the male/female condom group when compared with the male condom group (88.2 and 97.5%, respectively, P < 0.001). However, this reduction in male condom use was counterbalanced by the use of female condoms in 12.0% of all sexual acts in the male/female condom group, contributing to a 17% reduction in the proportion of unprotected sexual acts in this group when compared to the male condom group (5.9 versus 7.1%, respectively, P = 0.16). Female condom use was sustained over the entire study period. There was also a 24% reduction in the weighted geometric mean incidence rate of STDs in the sex establishments of the male/female condom group compared to the male condom group (2.81 versus 3.69 per 100 person-weeks, P = 0.18).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Changes in prostitution and the AIDS epidemic in Thailand.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic which broke out in Thailand 1988 was mainly caused by the widespread patronage of prostitutes. The Thai authorities responded with programmes which encouraged the use of condoms in commercial sex. These programmes were highly successful. However, prostitution has changed since the beginning of the epidemic, partly for economic and demographic reasons, but mainly because of the fear of AIDS. Fewer women practise prostitution, men patronize it less, and the price of commercial sex has risen. Prostitution is less likely to be practised in brothels and more likely to be practised in establishments like restaurants and bars. Moreover, as fewer native Thai women are willing to practise prostitution, foreign women are taking their place. In order to continue to control the epidemic, the authorities will have to adapt their programmes to the changing structure of commercial sex.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

Lubrication use in condom promotion among commercial sex workers and their clients in Ratchaburi, Thailand.

Condom promotion has been intensified in Thailand to prevent the spread of HIV. A water soluble lubricant (WSL) could be used to alleviate many unpleasant side effects of frequent condom use experienced by sex workers and their clients. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of WSL use in preventing the side effects of condom use including condom breakage, and to assess the acceptance of WSLs within the sex-worker population. The results of this study showed that 83 (111) of the 134 sex workers reported use of the WSL provided during the study period and more than 95 per cent (106) expressed interest in employing the WSL regularly, saying that WSLs reduce unpleasant side-effects relating to frequent condom use. Also 70 per cent of them reported that the majority of their clients found using the WSL made condom use more enjoyable. A follow-up study showed that 57 per cent of the respondents were still using a WSL on a regular basis and all of them felt it reduced condom breakage. Therefore, WSL use should be an acceptable and useful method for alleviating problems associated with regular use of condoms within the sex-worker population. In addition, there is evidence that WSLs can reduce the incidence of condom breakage. Thus, WSLs could be valuable tools in condom promotion for AIDS control within this high risk population and their clients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Impact of Thailand's HIV-control programme as indicated by the decline of sexually transmitted diseases.

The Thai government began an HIV-control programme in 1989. The programme had the following parts: the government bought and distributed sufficient condoms to protect much of the commercial sex in the country; sanctions were brought against commercial sex establishments where condoms were not used consistently; and a media campaign bluntly advised men to use condoms with prostitutes. Between 1989 and 1993 the use of condoms in commercial sex in Thailand increased from 14 to 94%, according to surveys of prostitutes, and the number of cases of the five major sexually transmitted diseases declined by 79% in men. We estimate that sex acts with prostitutes where there was a risk of HIV transmission declined from about 2.6% in June, 1989, to about 1.6% in June, 1993. If condom use in commercial sex stays high, future cohorts of young men and women may experience lower HIV incidence rates than those of the recent past. However, although condom use is high, there are many more infected prostitutes than before and many infected men who will pass HIV to their wives.

Condoms↗
PubMed1987

Effect of the contraceptive sponge on chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, and candidiasis. A comparative clinical trial.

To investigate the effect of the nonoxynol 9-impregnated contraceptive sponge on the incidence of chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, and candidiasis, we conducted a randomized comparative study among high-risk women in Bangkok, Thailand. The first (parallel) portion of the study covered 434 woman-weeks among sponge users and 494 woman-weeks among nonusers. As compared with women not using the sponge, sponge users were found to be less likely to become infected with chlamydia (relative rate, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.42 to 1.07) and gonorrhea (relative rate, 0.31 [0.16 to 0.60]) but more likely to become infected with Candida (relative rate, 2.76 [0.96 to 7.98]). Women who continued in the study were crossed over to the alternate group, with former nonusers starting to employ the sponge and vice versa. The results of this second phase were similar to those of the larger parallel study. Overall, these results suggest that women using the sponge are protected against the two most common sexually transmitted pathogens, which are also those with the most serious health consequences. However, women using the sponge should be advised they may have an increased likelihood of a vaginal infection with Candida.

Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal↗
PubMed1985

Prevalence of HTLV-III/LAV antibody in selected populations in Thailand.

Antibody to the human T-lymphotropic virus, type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV) by ELISA test was detected in one (1%) of 101 male homosexual prostitutes (confidence limit 95%:0.03-5.4%, in two (2%) of 100 thalassemia patients, and in none (C.L. 95%:0-3.6%) of 100 female prostitutes, 99 parenteral drug abusers, 100 male VD patients, 100 consecutive blood donors in serum collected from February through June 1985. Serum from the positive homosexual subject was strongly positive on repeated ELISA testing, and was also positive by Western Blot test. The two thalassemia patients, who were repeatedly weakly-positive by ELISA, were negative by Western Blot test and presumed to be false positive reactors. Prevalence of HTLV-III/LAV virus in sexually-active homosexuals in Thailand in 1985 appears to be similar to the 1% rate among homosexuals in San Francisco in 1978 at the start of the AIDS epidemic there.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The contraceptive sponge's protection against Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

To investigate the effect of the contraceptive sponge on the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, we conducted a clinical trial among a high-risk population of women in Bangkok, Thailand. Two hundred fifty-five women were randomly assigned either to use the sponge or not and were evaluated weekly for gonorrhea and chlamydial infection. After adjustment by logistic regression for potentially confounding factors, women using the sponge were less likely to have contracted chlamydial infection (odds ratio [OR], 0.6; 90% confidence interval [CI], 0.4-1.0) and gonorrhea (OR, 0.9; CI, 0.6-1.3) as compared with women not using the sponge. These estimates probably underestimate the degree of protection because some exposure was misclassified in this pilot phase of the study. These results are consistent with other studies indicating that spermicides protect against gonorrhea and also demonstrating protection against an organism of even greater public health concern, Chlamydia trachomatis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Incidence of sexually transmitted diseases among massage parlour employees in Bangkok, Thailand.

The results of a study of sexually transmitted disease (STD) incidence and related risk factors for STDs among uninfected women at high risk of contracting STD infection in Bangkok are reported. Comprising the control arm of a randomized controlled trial of a vaginal contraceptive sponge and STD incidence, 163 women aged 18 or older were recruited from 4 massage parlours and followed for evidence of new infections over a 6-week period or until cervical infection occurred. Gynaecological examinations were performed and endocervical specimens were obtained at weekly intervals, at which time women returned coital logs recording their number of sexual partners. There were 76.5 new STD infections per 100 woman-months, including 31.7 with gonorrhoea, 43.1 with chlamydia, 1.8 of trichomoniasis and 3.5 of candidiasis. None of the risk factors examined were good predictors of STD infection in this population, which may be related to the restricted admission criteria in the study.

Adolescent↗