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PubMed2002

National Task Force on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect: defining the national agenda for fetal alcohol syndrome and other prenatal alcohol-related effects.

Prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to serious birth defects and developmental disabilities. A need exists to develop effective strategies for both children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or other prenatal alcohol-related effects and for women at high risk for having an alcohol-exposed pregnancy. Since the syndrome was identified approximately 30 years ago, advancements have been made in FAS diagnostics, surveillance, prevention, and intervention, but a substantial amount of work remains. Collaborations among partners in federal state, and local agencies, academia, clinical professions, school systems, and families are critical to developing and implementing successful efforts related to FAS and fetal alcohol effect (FAE). In 1999, Congress directed the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to convene the National Task Force on FAS and FAE (the Task Force). CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention Team, coordinates the Task Force and manages its operation. Since the Task Force was chartered in 2000, Task Force members, with input from multiple partners, have convened to deliberate and determine the Task Force mission, goals, and priority concerns to be addressed. This report describes the structure, function, mission, and goals of the Task Force and provides their first recommendations. An explanation of how the Task Force recommendations were generated and the Task Forces next steps are also reported.

Alcoholism↗

PubMed2006

Metabolic complementarity and genomics of the dual bacterial symbiosis of sharpshooters.

Mutualistic intracellular symbiosis between bacteria and insects is a widespread phenomenon that has contributed to the global success of insects. The symbionts, by provisioning nutrients lacking from diets, allow various insects to occupy or dominate ecological niches that might otherwise be unavailable. One such insect is the glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca coagulata), which feeds on xylem fluid, a diet exceptionally poor in organic nutrients. Phylogenetic studies based on rRNA have shown two types of bacterial symbionts to be coevolving with sharpshooters: the gamma-proteobacterium Baumannia cicadellinicola and the Bacteroidetes species Sulcia muelleri. We report here the sequencing and analysis of the 686,192-base pair genome of B. cicadellinicola and approximately 150 kilobase pairs of the small genome of S. muelleri, both isolated from H. coagulata. Our study, which to our knowledge is the first genomic analysis of an obligate symbiosis involving multiple partners, suggests striking complementarity in the biosynthetic capabilities of the two symbionts: B. cicadellinicola devotes a substantial portion of its genome to the biosynthesis of vitamins and cofactors required by animals and lacks most amino acid biosynthetic pathways, whereas S. muelleri apparently produces most or all of the essential amino acids needed by its host. This finding, along with other results of our genome analysis, suggests the existence of metabolic codependency among the two unrelated endosymbionts and their insect host. This dual symbiosis provides a model case for studying correlated genome evolution and genome reduction involving multiple organisms in an intimate, obligate mutualistic relationship. In addition, our analysis provides insight for the first time into the differences in symbionts between insects (e.g., aphids) that feed on phloem versus those like H. coagulata that feed on xylem. Finally, the genomes of these two symbionts provide potential targets for controlling plant pathogens such as Xylella fastidiosa, a major agroeconomic problem, for which H. coagulata and other sharpshooters serve as vectors of transmission.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1993

Adolescents, sexual behaviour and implications for an epidemic of HIV/AIDS among the young.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the patterns of sexual behaviour, condom use and sexually transmitted diseases among young New Zealanders, and the characteristics of those with many sexual partners. SUBJECTS: A cohort of young people enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study, and followed up since age three. METHODS: Subjects were interviewed at age 18 years as part of a multidisciplinary health and development study. Questions about sexual behaviour were presented by computer. RESULTS: Overall 862/1027 (83.9%) surviving in the cohort was interviewed. Only 1.4% declined to answer the section on sexual behaviour. Sexual intercourse in the previous 12 months was reported by 57.6% of the young men and 67.9% of the young women. Amongst those who were sexually active more of the young men reported multiple partners than the young women (59.8% v 46.5% p < 0.001). There was a trend for increasing number of partners with indices of lower school achievement but no significant association with socio-economic status. Condom use decreased with increasing number of partners for the young women, and for the young men there was no association. Sexually transmitted diseases were reported more commonly with increasing number of sexual partners for both men and women. The rates of sexual activity were substantially higher than reported in a comparable survey 20 years ago. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of sexual behaviour and condom use, and the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases in this sample give cause for concern about the spread of sexually transmitted diseases including the possibility of an epidemic of HIV among heterosexual young people in New Zealand. The findings should help in targeting health promotional activities within this age group.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1994

Urban minority youth: alcohol and marijuana use and exposure to unprotected intercourse.

This article focuses on the use of alcohol and marijuana in the context of sexual relationships and the impact of these substances on the consistency of condom use by urban, minority youth. Regression models are presented to test for the effects of alcohol and marijuana use with sexual partners while controlling for the effects of respondents' sexual history. The results indicated that when alcohol or marijuana was used with a partner, the consistency of condom use decreased even when other variables related to sexual history were controlled for. Alcohol use had a greater negative effect on condom use for Hispanic men and marijuana for African-American women than it did for Hispanic women and African-American men. These findings argue for the need for targeted safer-sex intervention programs for urban, low-income, minority youth, and suggest that such programs may need to emphasize the increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus exposure that may result from substance use, casual sex, and sex with multiple partners.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Twenty years of student sexual behavior: subcultural adaptations to a changing health environment.

This twenty-year study analyzes changes in sexual behavior among students at Okanagan University College in British Columbia, Canada. Surveys conducted in 1980, 1990, and 2000 reveal a steady increase in safer sexual practices. Most students now question potential partners about their past, use condoms with a new sexual partner, and maintain fairly long-term monogamous relationships. Three sexual subcultures continue to coexist in fairly stable proportions: celibacy (about 30%), monogamy (about 60%), and free experimentation (about 10%). Each subculture has created its own response to the danger of HIV/AIDS: celibates exaggerate the danger they face, monogamists rely on love and fidelity for protection, and free experimenters have increased their use of condoms. While romantic feelings lead many monogamous couples to abandon condoms without objective HIV/AIDS knowledge, free experimenters still face the highest risk. Although they now use condoms more than half the time, their lifestyle, which involves multiple partners, risky sexual acts, and frequent drug and/or alcohol use, clearly remains dangerous. The persistence of distinct subcultures has implications for health education programs, which would be most effective if based on key values held by specific target groups.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1999

Risk factors for gonococcal and chlamydial cervical infection in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVE: To identify demographic, behavioural and clinical characteristics of symptomatic and asymptomatic women with gonococcal and/or chlamydial cervicitis a study was conducted among women attending antenatal clinics and primary care clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe. DESIGN: Cross sectional study. SETTING: Primary care clinics and antenatal clinics in Harare. SUBJECTS: 467 women with vaginal discharge and 1,189 asymptomatic pregnant women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Behavioural and clinical correlates of gonococcal and chlamydial cervical infection. RESULTS: The mean age of symptomatic women was 26.11 +/- 6.84 years (range: 15 to 52 years) and that of asymptomatic pregnant women was 24.67 +/- 5.43 years (range: 15 to 45 years). Gonococcal and/or chlamydial cervical infection was found in 69 of 1,189 (5.8%) pregnant women and in 77 of 467 (16.5%) non-pregnant women. Logistic regression analysis identified the following predictors of gonococcal or chlamydial infection in women with vaginal discharge: being separated from the partner for a month or more (p = 0.002), having had sex with a new partner in the last three months (p = 0.002), current use of condoms (p = 0.011), and the finding on examination of a purulent vaginal discharge (p = 0.004). Amongst these women an increasing educational level was inversely associated with cervical infection (p = 0.007). Amongst asymptomatic pregnant women the following were identified as predictors of cervical infection: the patient admitting to having a vaginal discharge on direct questioning (p = 0.004), and the finding of a purulent vaginal discharge on examination (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Amongst symptomatic and asymptomatic women certain behavioural factors and some clinical findings are associated with cervical gonococcal or chlamydial infection. Women with multiple partners and with partners who are currently using condoms with them and those women with a purulent vaginal discharge are likely to be infected. The age and marital status of subjects was not associated with cervical infection. These findings are useful in providing appropriate care for women with overt or minimal symptoms.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Predictors of HIV sexual risk behaviors in a community sample of injection drug-using men and women.

Injection risk practices and unprotected sex between injection drug users (IDUs) and their sexual partners are responsible for a high proportion of AIDS cases and new HIV infections in the United States. The purpose of this study was to investigate the links between drug use behaviors and psychosocial factors with high-risk sexual behaviors among male and female IDUs. Understanding the determinants of sexual risk practices among drug users can lead to the development of more effective programs to prevent sexual HIV and STD transmission. This study enrolled a community sample of 101 IDUs (males = 65, females = 36), primarily African American and unemployed, who injected drugs and had unprotected sex in the past 3 months. The sample was categorized into highest sexual risk (multiple partners and intercourse without condoms) and lower sexual risk subgroups. Univariate analyses showed that IDUs at highest sexual risk had lower sexual risk reduction self-efficacy (p =.01) and were more likely to be African American (p =.02). Drug users at highest sexual risk also used noninjected cocaine and crack more frequently (p =.05), were less likely to inject heroin (p =.04), and tended to more often inject cocaine (p =.05). IDUs at highest sexual risk also tended to more often use crack and methamphetamines. Logistic regression analyses showed that injecting cocaine or crack, sexual risk reduction self-efficacy, and race were independent predictors of sexual risk behavior levels. Sexual risk reduction programs for this population are needed, with HIV prevention programs tailored to specific IDU risk reduction needs.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Merlin: the neurofibromatosis 2 tumor suppressor.

In recent years, it has become clear that the ERMs occupy a crucial position as protein linkers that both respond to and participate in reorganization of membrane-cytoskeletal interactions. With the identification of new binding partners, the ERMs are also implicated in linked regulation of the activities of particular membrane proteins. Thus, they reside at a junction in a complex web of interactions that must respond to stimuli from both outside and inside the cell. As expected from its structural motifs, merlin behaves in a manner similar to the ERM proteins, but with some notable differences. Chief among these is the absence of intramolecular interaction to mask intermolecular interaction domains in isoform 2. The full range of merlin's intermolecular interactions remains to be delineated, but it can be expected from the comparison to ERMs that merlin also sits within a web of interactions that may involve multiple partners and signaling pathways, some of which it shares with the ERMs. Defining merlin's tumor suppressor function will likely require identifying those differences that are peculiarly important in the target cell types of NF2. However, the fact that inactivation of merlin in the mouse by targeted mutagenesis produces a variety of malignant tumors with a high rate of metastasis [33] suggests that merlin's suppression of tumor formation may involve different partners and pathways in different cell types and genetic backgrounds. Consequently, the disruptions due to merlin inactivation in the progression of malignant mesothelioma may represent a tumor suppressor role operating by a different pathway than that in schwannoma or meningioma.

DNA Mutational Analysis↗

PubMed1996

HIV testing among low-income African-American mothers.

HIV testing patterns were examined among low-income African Americans who were mothers of young school-age children. In-person interviews were conducted to determine whether African-American women had been tested for HIV; their sexual behaviors, including the number of sexual partners and condom use; and health care access and utilization. Forty-one percent of the women had been tested for HIV; 18 percent tested more than once. Levels of education, source of primary health care, and type of insurance were not associated with HIV testing. The total number of sexual partners for their current lifetime and within the past five years was significantly associated with their HIV testing status (chi 2 = 39.97; DF = 3; p < .01 and chi 2 = 66.68; DF = 3; p < .01 respectively). Women who have used condoms during their last intercourse (20%) were less likely to have been tested than women who did not use a condom (50%) (p < .01). Results suggest that low-income African-American women get tested for HIV. This suggests that these women understand the concept of risk and how certain behaviors may place them at risk. However, these women still confront conditions that place them at risk, such as having sex with multiple partners and/or partners with a history of incarceration, in addition to drug use. HIV testing may not serve as the most effective intervention for this sub-population of women. Educational and preventive measures should extend to women outside traditional high-risk populations by incorporating methods to promote protective behavioral changes which will empower women with self-esteem and confidence.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

PubMed1995

HIV/AIDS knowledge and high risk sexual practices among southern California Vietnamese.

OBJECTIVES: Vietnamese immigration to the U.S. since the conclusion of the Vietnam war has been substantial and in Orange County, CA, Vietnamese Americans comprise 3% of the population (the largest community in the US). Our objective was to collect data on the HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes and self-reported high risk behaviours within this community. METHODS: A survey instrument was administered anonymously in Vietnamese to 532 respondents in their homes. Individuals from three population strata were randomly sampled: men 18 to 35 years old (N = 193); men 36 to 45 years old (N = 137); and women 18 to 35 years old (N = 202). Data were gathered on: (1) degree of acculturation; (2) knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS; and (3) self-reported sexual and other high risk practices. RESULTS: Survey data indicated that 38% of respondents were very worried about themselves and 83% were worried about a family member getting AIDS. Knowledge about actual modes of HIV transmission was generally accurate, but a substantial minority still believed that HIV can be transmitted through casual contact, and 68% from needles used in hospitals. Women demonstrated less accurate knowledge than men on five key items. Quarantine of the HIV infected was agreed to by 45%. Twenty-nine percent did not believe that the epidemic would affect them personally, and 49% stated that they did not have enough information about AIDS to protect themselves. Regarding sexual practices, 31% reported never having had sex. Of the others, 8% had two or more sexual partners in the prior 12 months. No same sex behaviour was reported. Six percent of men had visited a female prostitute; of these, 24% had visited 2 or more in the prior 12 months; half of encounters in this time period were outside the US. Substantial percentages of sexually active, unmarried respondents indicated that they never use (17-40%) or only sometimes use (10-32%) condoms. Less than 1% had used injection drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Education should be targeted at the Vietnamese community of southern California to improve knowledge that HIV cannot be contracted through casual contact, to convey information about methods for self-protection, and to reduce high risk sexual practices such as unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners and sex with prostitutes.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2006

Do drug users in China who frequently receive detoxification treatment change their risky drug use practices and sexual behavior?

BACKGROUND: Relapse rates among treated drug users in China are high. We examined the associations between frequency of drug detoxification treatment and HIV-related risky drug practices and sexual behavior. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among drug users in two Anhui province detoxification centers in 2003. RESULTS: A total of 312 drug users were recruited. Seventy-seven percent of the subjects had ever received two or more detoxification treatments. The median number of detoxification treatments received was three, with an interquartile range of two to five treatments. More than 7 in 10 (72%) ever injected drugs; 19% shared needles and syringes in the past 30 days; 40% of drug users reported having both regular and commercial sex partners in the past year and 48% reported having only regular sex partners. Multiple Poisson regression analysis documented that the frequency of detoxification treatment was not associated with a decrease in drug practice (injection or sharing needles) and in unprotected sex. CONCLUSION: Drug users who frequently received detoxification treatment did not change their risky drug use practices and sexual behavior. Effective behavioral interventions and substitution maintenance treatment should become an integral part of detoxification programs in China.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Co-cladogenesis spanning three phyla: leafhoppers (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and their dual bacterial symbionts.

Endosymbioses are a major form of biological complexity affecting the ecological and evolutionary diversification of many eukaryotic groups. These associations are exemplified by nutritional symbioses of insects for which phylogenetic studies have demonstrated numerous cases of long-term codiversification between a bacterial and a host lineage. Some insects, including most leafhoppers (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), have more than one bacterial symbiont within specialized host cells, raising questions regarding the patterns of codiversification of these multiple partners and the evolutionary persistence of complex symbiotic systems. Previous studies reported the presence of two dominant symbiont types in a member of the leafhopper subfamily Cicadellinae (sharpshooters). In this study, 16S rRNA sequences were obtained and used to examine the occurrence and evolutionary relationships of the two dominant symbiont types across 29 leafhopper species. Candidatus Sulcia muelleri (Bacteroidetes) was detected in all leafhopper species examined, a finding that is consistent with a previous report of its ancient association with the Auchenorrhyncha (a grouping that includes leafhoppers, treehoppers, cicadas, planthoppers, and spittlebugs). Baumannia cicadellinicola (Proteobacteria), previously known from only five sharpshooter species, was found only in the sharpshooter tribes Cicadellini and Proconiini, as well as in the subfamily Phereurhininae. Mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences were obtained and used to reconstruct host phylogenies. Analyses of host and symbiont data sets support a congruent evolutionary history between sharpshooters, Sulcia and Baumannia and thus provide the first strong evidence for long-term co-inheritance of multiple symbionts during the diversification of a eukaryotic host. Sulcia shows a fivefold lower rate of 16S rDNA sequence divergence than does Baumannia for the same host pairs. The term 'coprimary' symbiont is proposed for such cases.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

A two-hybrid dual bait system to discriminate specificity of protein interactions.

Biological regulatory systems require the specific organization of proteins into multicomponent complexes. Two hybrid systems have been used to identify novel components of signaling networks based on interactions with defined partner proteins. An important issue in the use of two-hybrid systems has been the degree to which interacting proteins distinguish their biological partner from evolutionarily conserved related proteins and the degree to which observed interactions are specific. We adapted the basic two-hybrid strategy to create a novel dual bait system designed to allow single-step screening of libraries for proteins that interact with protein 1 of interest, fused to DNA binding domain A (LexA), but do not interact with protein 2, fused to DNA binding domain B (lambda cI). Using the selective interactions of Ras and Krev-1(Rap1A) with Raf, RalGDS, and Krit1 as a model, we systematically compared LexA- and cI-fused baits and reporters. The LexA and cI baitr reporter systems are well matched for level of bait expression and sensitivity range for interaction detection and allow effective isolation of specifically interacting protein pairs against a nonspecific background. These reagents should prove useful to refine the selectivity of library screens, to reduce the isolation of false positives in such screens, and to perform directed analyses of sequence elements governing the interaction of a single protein with multiple partners.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed2006

Cohabitation, marriage, and 'sexual monogamy' in Nairobi's slums.

The current study investigates the extent to which sexual exclusivity--the restriction of one's sexual engagements to a single partner--prevails across various marital status, union type, and co-residence categories among Nairobi's poorest residents, slum dwellers. This question is central to the spread of HIV in the increasingly urban and poor, high prevalence countries of sub-Saharan Africa, where transmission is primarily via heterosexual sex. In many circles, sexual exclusivity is considered a prominent feature of the marriage institution. Yet, marriage and cohabitation are often not easily distinguishable in sub-Saharan Africa, meaning that the frequent use, as a proxy, of the "in union" category, which includes married as well as cohabiting persons can, at best, be considered tenuous. Using the 2000 Nairobi Cross-Sectional Slum Survey (NCSS), this paper confirms that marriage is associated with higher reports of sexual exclusivity even in settings where poverty provokes risky behavior. The finding, here, is of lower risk of HIV infection for married respondents, with a smaller effect observed among non-married cohabiters. Converse to the implied benefits of marriage, though, women with co-wives are more likely to report multiple partners. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Sources and determinants of social support for caregivers of persons with AIDS.

This study examines the determinants of social support among a sample of 642 caregivers of persons with AIDS living in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Respondents include both traditional family caregivers (mothers, spouses, other relatives) and non-traditional caregivers (friends, homosexual partners). Multiple regression analyses are conducted to assess the independent effects of six sets of variables on emotional and instrumental support: social-structural factors (age, education, employment status), caregiver's relationship to the person with AIDS, situational variables (caregiver's HIV status, patient's functional disability, interpersonal conflict), social network factors (contact with family, contact with friends, community integration), personal resources (mastery, caregiving competence), and use of formal community services (patient-directed services, caregiver-directed services). A number of factors and conditions appear to be relevant for caregiver support. For example, results indicate that network factors, including frequency of contact, conflict, and community integration, are importantly related to caregivers' perceptions of emotional support. There is also a trend suggesting lower emotional support among traditional family caregivers, relative to nonfamily caregivers, within gender categories. With respect to instrumental assistance with caregiving, factors that place greater demands and time constraints on caregivers, such as being employed and caring for an AIDS patient with greater functional limitations, appear to increase the level of informal instrumental support the caregiver receives. Partners and spouses, however, receive significantly lower instrumental assistance, independent of other factors. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reconceptualizing adolescent sexual behavior: beyond did they or didn't they?

CONTEXT: Adolescent sexual behavior is typically studied as a dichotomy: Adolescents have had sex or they have not. Broadening this view would lead to a greater understanding of teenagers' sexual behavior. METHODS: Interview data from 907 high school students in Alabama, New York and Puerto Rico were used to examine the relationships between sexual experience and a variety of social, psychological and behavioral variables. Four groups of teenagers are compared: those who did not anticipate initiating sex in the next year (delayers), those who anticipated initiating sex in the next year (anticipators), those who had had one sexual partner (singles) and those who had had two or more partners (multiples). RESULTS: Compared with delayers, anticipators reported more alcohol use and marijuana use; poorer psychological health; riskier peer behaviors; and looser ties to family school and church. Similarly, multiples reported more alcohol and marijuana use, riskier peer behaviors and looser ties to family and school than singles. Risk behaviors, peer behaviors, family variables, and school and church involvement showed a linear trend across the four categories of sexual behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The traditional sex-no sex dichotomy obscures differences among sexually inexperienced teenagers and among adolescents who have had sex. Prevention efforts must be tailored to the specific needs of teenagers with differing sexual experiences and expectations, and must address the social and psychological context in which sexual experiences occur.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Trends in sexual behaviour and risk factors for HIV infection among homosexual men, 1984-7.

To assess whether the spread of infection with HIV can be reduced by changes in behaviour among groups most at risk because of their sexual practices sexual behaviour was monitored among 1050 homosexual men tested for HIV infection at a genitourinary medicine clinic in west London from November 1984 to September 1987. Four cohorts, defined by date of presentation, were studied by questionnaire at their presentation, and blood samples were analysed. Between the first and last cohorts there was a considerable fall in the proportion reporting casual relationships (291/329 (88%) v 107/213 (50%] and high risk activities, such as anoreceptive intercourse with casual partners (262/291 (90%) v 74/106 (70%], with the greatest changes occurring before the government information campaign began in 1986. Nevertheless, half of the men in the last cohort studied reported having casual partners. Multiple logistic regression showed that behavioural risk factors for HIV infection most closely resembled those for hepatitis B and that previous sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis, hepatitis B, and anogenital herpes) were themselves independent risk factors. A history of syphilis ranked above anoreceptive intercourse as the strongest predictor of HIV infection. Actively bisexual men showed a much lower prevalence of HIV infection (3/57, 5%) than exclusively homosexual men (113/375, 30%). Sexual behaviour among homosexual men changed during the period studied, and the incidence of HIV infection fell, although more education programmes directed at homosexual men are needed to re-emphasise the dangers of infection.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

PubMed1999

[Risk behavior among blood donors: efficacy of a new questionnaire].

The clinical selection of volunteers for blood donation is essential to reduce the risk of viral transmission by blood transfusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new questionnaire for a pre-donation medical interview. This questionnaire was developed by transfusion practitioners, epidemiologists and professional investigators, and focused on risk behaviors of blood donors and their partners. Five blood banks in the French Ile-de-France region (around Paris), participated in the study from May 1995 to January 1996. All participating doctors were specifically trained by professional investigators. The sex and the age of donors, the type of collection, the duration of interviews and the reasons for exclusion from donation were recorded. The results were compared to those of a prior study dealing with a sample of 15,000 donors presenting the same characteristics, whose blood was taken of at the same collection sites in 1993. Of the 1,527 volunteers donating blood, 14% were interviewed in fixed centers and 86% by moving teams (38% in firms, 22% in towns, 13% in civil service facilities, 13% in school or academic centers). For 15.9% of the volunteers, this was the first donation (range: 7.3% in fixed centers to 41.5% in school and academic centers). The mean duration of the interview was 11 min (10 min for volunteers included, 14 min for donors excluded from donation). It decreased from 14 min at the beginning of the study to 10 min by the end of the study. The percentage of donors excluded for risk behavior (3.7% in 1995-96 vs 1.5% in 1993, P < 0.001), or medical reasons (12.2% in 1995-96 vs 8.4%, in 1993, P < 0.001) was significantly greater in 1995-96 than in 1993 (15.9% vs 9.9%, P < 0.001). In 1995-96, 35.0% of exclusions for risk behavior were related to male homosexuality, multiple partners or the risk behavior of the partner vs 12% in 1993 (P < 0.001). The risk of exclusion was 5.5 times higher for donors not living in a couple. The results obtained demonstrated the value of this new approach to the medical interview.

Adult↗