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PubMed2005

The role of HIV-related knowledge and ethnicity in determining HIV risk perception and willingness to undergo HIV testing among rural women in Burkina Faso.

We conducted a random community based survey of 300 young (15-29 years) rural women in Nouna, Burkina Faso. Only one-third of women were aware that a person could have HIV without having symptoms and these women were significantly more likely to classify themselves to be at high risk for getting HIV. Furthermore, multiple partners, Bwaba ethnicity and having mentioned a health worker as a source of HIV information were significantly associated with perceived high personal risk. Perceived willingness to participate in VCT was high (69%). The dissemination of information on the asymptomatic nature of HIV infection could potentially be very important in forming risk perception, awareness, and their willingness to participate in HIV interventions.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

PubMed2007

Prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B, syphilis, and chlamydia among adults seeking treatment for a mental disorder in southern India.

This study estimated the prevalence, and identified the correlates, of HIV, chlamydia, syphilis, and Hepatitis B among patients seeking treatment for a mental disorder in India. Patients (n = 948) submitted a blood sample for serologic testing and participated in a brief interview. Lifetime prevalence rates were nearly 2% for HIV, 10% for chlamydia, 3% for Hepatitis B, and 3% for syphilis; 15% of patients had evidence of at least one infection. Bivariate associations between infection status and patient characteristics, including age, gender, psychiatric diagnosis, did not reveal any consistent risk profile. Instead, behavioral characteristics (i.e., multiple partners, exchanging sex for money, and engagement in anal sex) were associated with infection status. Recommendations for the sexual health care of psychiatric patients in India are provided.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Severely mentally ill women's HIV risk: the influence of social support, substance use, and contextual risk factors.

In structured interviews with 96 women with severe mental illness, nearly two-thirds had not used condoms during sexual intercourse in the past 3 months, more than two-thirds had sex with multiple partners, and almost one-third had been treated for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past year. Women who reported fewer sexual risk context factors, such as having sex with someone the participant did not know or transactional sex, had fewer sexual partners. Larger social support networks were associated with less frequent sex after drug use. In turn, women who less often had sex after using drugs had unprotected intercourse less frequently.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Psychiatric and psychosocial correlates of sexual risk behavior among adults with severe mental illness.

Persons with severe mental illness (SMI) are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. This study examined multivariate correlates of sexual risk among 152 adults with SMI receiving outpatient psychiatric treatment. Structured interviews assessed psychiatric, psychosocial, and behavioral risk factors. The majority was sexually active (65%), and many reported unprotected intercourse (73%), multiple partners (45%), and sex trading (21%) in the past year. Logistic regression models found that sexual behaviors were differentially associated with non-psychotic disorder, psychiatric symptoms, substance abuse, childhood sexual abuse, romantic partnership, and social support (all ps < .05). Findings underscore the need for targeted HIV prevention interventions that address psychiatric and psychosocial risk factors.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2006

Difference of HBV genotype distribution between acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Recently genotype A which is rare in the patients in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) was frequently noted in patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB). To investigate their clinical and virological features, we studied the AHB patients in the past 5 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 98 patients with AHB and 80 patients with CHB admitted to our hospital between 1998 and 2003 were studied. RESULTS: Genotype A was not found in CHB but was frequently noted in AHB (p < 0.001). Comparison of the clinical features of acute hepatitis between the two major genotypes, A and C, homosexual and heterosexual with multiple partners were frequently seen among genotype A patients (p < 0.001). On the other hand, infection from steady partner showed a tendency to be more frequent in genotype C (p = 0.065). In genotype A, the levels of HBVDNA on admission was higher (p = 0.007) and AHB has significantly more frequently progress to chronic infection than in genotype C (p = 0.028). Phylogenetic analysis of genotype A revealed that almost all strains from homosexual men belonged not to the African type A1 but to the Western type A2. CONCLUSION: Genotype A has increased recently among AHB in Japan. This fact may correlate to promiscuous intercourse in high risk group. Prophylactic efforts should be considered to prevent the prevailing of genotype A.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1986

Association of human T lymphotropic virus type III antibodies with sexual and other behaviors in a cohort of homosexual men from Boston with and without generalized lymphadenopathy.

Forty asymptomatic homosexually active men seen at a Boston community health center and 39 men with generalized lymphadenopathy were interviewed and filled out detailed epidemiologic questionnaires. Twenty percent of the asymptomatic men and 92 percent of those with lymphadenopathy had antibodies to human T lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III). None of the men have subsequently had the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Seropositivity was associated with receptive anal intercourse and oral exposure to ejaculate, a history of hepatitis B, anal gonorrhea, or intestinal parasites, but no other sexually transmitted diseases, and did not correlate with the use of recreational drugs. More of the seropositive men had multiple partners from New York City. An association with seropositivity was less evident in relation to the numbers of partners from San Francisco or Los Angeles, since the whole cohort generally had fewer contacts with partners from these cities. The data suggest that educational programs among homosexual men attempting to decrease AIDS risk should focus on decreasing the number of partners, receptive anal intercourse, oral exposure to ejaculate and other intimate rectal contact, and sexual contact with men from areas of increased HTLV-III seroprevalence.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Working women's sexual risk taking in Jamaica.

Although the rates of HIV are increasing among female populations in developing countries, there is little information available about factors influencing sexual risk taking among working class women. This paper describes some of the issues discussed by two groups of 58 women working in Jamaica: Informal Commercial Importers and women working in the Freezone. These women discuss their economic vulnerability, expectations about the role of men as providers, multiple partners, perceptions of children as resources and concern about physical abuse as factors that could influence decisions about condom use. The implications of these findings are discussed for their impact on intervention programs targeting working class women in Jamaica.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Cocaine use and risky injection and sexual behaviors.

The association between cocaine use (crack and injection cocaine) and risky behaviors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was investigated among participants in a multi-site study at drug treatment and non-drug treatment sites in Worcester, Massachusetts. Cocaine use was more prevalent among young, African-American men. Compared to heroin injectors cocaine injectors had higher risk injection and sexual behaviors. Among non-injectors, crack users were more likely to have multiple partners and receive money or drugs for sex. Cocaine use, either injected or smoked as crack, should be considered a high risk behavior for HIV infection.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

Menopausal age in various ethnic groups in Israel.

The effects of various parameters on age at menopause have been investigated in five ethnic groups in Israel comprising East European, West European, North African, Israeli and other Middle Eastern (Mediterranean) women, respectively. The data were acquired by means of anonymous questionnaires and were programmed for 1770 women. Correlation coefficients between various variables and age at menopause revealed three variables which have a straight correlation, vis. obesity index, number of children, and years of amenorrhoea (during the reproductive years). The years-of-smoking variable has an inverse correlation with age at menopause. East Europeans have the highest age at menarche. Two-way analysis of variance has shown that the obesity index, years of amenorrhoea, number of children and years-of-smoking parameters are individually more important than ethnic origin. The finding that the age at menopause is highest in the North African group is explained by the higher incidence in this group of high parity, a greater number of amenorrhoea, obesity, and low cigarette consumption. Since many habits (such as smoking, diet, use of contraceptive pills, multiple partners and marital obligations) are subject to frequent change in the modern world, it is of the utmost importance to repeat such a study every few years.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2006

Thermodynamic characterization of interactions between p27(Kip1) and activated and non-activated Cdk2: intrinsically unstructured proteins as thermodynamic tethers.

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) p27Kip1 plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation by binding and inhibiting (or activating) various cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk)/cyclin complexes. Thermal denaturation monitored by circular dichroism (CD) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) were used to determine the relative stabilities and affinities of p27-KID (p27 kinase inhibitory domain) complexes with activated Cdk2 (phosphorylated at Thr160; P-Cdk2) and non-activated forms of Cdk2 and/or cyclin A. Phosphorylation of residue Thr160 only slightly increases the thermal stability of Cdk2, and its binary complexes with cyclin A and p27-KID. The p27-KID/P-Cdk2/cyclin A or p27-KID/Cdk2/cyclin A ternary complexes exhibited significantly higher thermal stabilities compared to the binary complexes (P-Cdk2/cyclin A or Cdk2/cyclin A). Differences in T(m) values between the binary and ternary complexes with P-Cdk2 and Cdk2 were +25.9 and +20.4 degrees C, respectively. These results indicate that the ternary complex with phosphorylated Cdk2 is stabilized to a larger extent than the non-phosphorylated complex. The free energy of association (deltaG(A)) for formation of the two ternary complexes was more favorable than for the binary complexes, indicating that a significantly smaller population of free components existed when all three components were present. These data indicate that p27-KID, which is intrinsically disordered in solution, acts as a thermodynamic tether when bound within the ternary complexes. It is proposed that thermodynamic tethering may be a general phenomena associated with intrinsically unstructured proteins (IUPs) which often function by binding to multiple partners in multi-protein assemblies.

Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2↗

PubMed2005

Fertility assurance and breeding synchrony.

Extrapair fertilizations are an important factor in reproduction of many bird species. It has been suggested that pursuit of extrapair fertilizations provides a selective pressure capable of affecting the "ecological" attributes of some bird species. It is known that in some cases the pursuit of extrapair copulations is motivated by fertility assurance. That is, there are populations in which (i) some males and females cannot produce viable offspring, and (ii) there is no pre-copulatory way to choose a compatible mate. In such situations individuals mate for "economic" reasons and attempt to secure reproduction by copulating with multiple partners. Here we formulate and analyze a simple game theoretical model addressing the interplay between environmental constraints and the pursuit of fertility assurance via extrapair copulations in determining breeding synchrony. Our results indicate that breeding synchrony in such cases is determined by the magnitude of the costs (due to environmental constraints) of breeding asynchronously versus the worth of the attendant increase in extrapair opportunities.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Sexual behavior and perceived risk of HIV/AIDS among young migrant factory workers in Nepal.

PURPOSE: To analyze the sexual behavior, perceived risk of contracting STIs and HIV/AIDS, and protective behaviors of migrant workers aged 14-19 years in carpet and garment factories in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. A common assumption in Nepal is that young migrant workers experience an increase in vulnerability. Moving away from the social controls of family and community, they become exposed to a mixed-gender environment and therefore might initiate sex earlier or have more casual encounters than might otherwise be the case. METHODS: The analysis is based on a representative sample survey of 1050 factory workers. Information was also obtained from 23 in-depth case histories. Both bivarite and multivariate techniques were applied to identify the factors associated with involvement in risky sexual behavior. RESULTS: Despite religious and cultural restrictions, one in five boys and one in eight unmarried girls reported experience of sexual intercourse. Early sexual experimentation, multiple partners, and low and irregular use of condoms are not uncommon. Instances of sexual exploitation by factory owners or managers were documented but were rare. Most nonregular sex partners were described as friends from the same factory or community. Despite high-risk behavior, relatively few young people considered themselves to be at risk of getting STIs or HIV/AIDS. Information on the possible consequences of unsafe sex is inadequate. CONCLUSION: Programs aimed at promotion of safer sex practices and life skill training that facilitates communication and utilization of sexual health services should target vulnerable migrant young people.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2005

Approach of primary care physicians to hepatitis C: an educational survey from a Southern Italian area.

OBJECTIVES: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices towards hepatitis C of primary care physicians (PCPs) working in a Southern Italian area. METHODS: A questionnaire exploring the basic knowledge on risk factors and the management of hepatitis C virus infection was administered in two occasions to a sample of PCPs before and 2 months later the presentation of the EASL guidelines on the management of HCV infection. RESULTS: At the first survey, drug addiction, transfusion in 1982 and sexual contact with multiple partners were listed as the most common risk factors for acquiring HCV infection. As many as 27% of PCPs believed that blood transfusion after 1994 was still an important risk factor for this infection. Only 38% of PCPs would refer HCV positive subject with abnormal ALT levels to a gastroenterologist. Some points showed a definite improvement when first and second survey were compared: the more frequent use of qualitative instead of quantitative HCV-RNA testing for diagnostic purpose and the selection of IFN plus ribavirin as the regimen of choice for active disease. CONCLUSIONS: The general practice management of hepatitis C may be improved using educational activities involving directly and interactively PCPs.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed2026

Biochemical Insights Into the Conserved Interactions of NMD Factors From Budding Yeast to Humans.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is one of the most extensively studied pathways of cytoplasmic mRNA degradation. It plays a critical role in diverse cellular processes by eliminating aberrant transcripts containing premature stop codons and by regulating the stability of physiological mRNAs. NMD factors were initially identified through genetic screens in S. cerevisiae (UPF1, 2, 3) and C. elegans (SMG-1, SMG5-7). Subsequent biochemical and genetic studies revealed the composition of NMD complexes and identified additional factors. A major protein hub for NMD is Upf1, an ATP-dependent RNA helicase that is part of two mutually exclusive NMD assemblies, the Upf1-Upf2-Upf3 complex and the Upf1-decapping complex, which contains the decapping enzyme and its co-factors. Here, we discuss recent findings, primarily from budding yeast, on the protein-protein interactions driving NMD complexes dynamics and their similarities to human NMD. Together, the N-terminal cysteine and histidine rich (CH) and helicase domains (HD) of Upf1 act as a hub for binding multiple partners. Upf1 is required for binding to NMD substrates and for the initiation of RNA degradation through decapping (yeast) or endonucleolytic hydrolysis (humans). We focus on the interplay between Upf2, Dcp2 and Nmd4 (yeast SMG6), which ensures the mutually exclusive formation of Upf1-bound subcomplexes modulating Upf1's affinity for RNA. Thus, the study of NMD factors interactions in different organisms sheds new light on the remarkable conservation of NMD molecular mechanisms.

Nonsense Mediated mRNA Decay↗

PubMed2004

Primate mating systems and the evolution of immune response.

White blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) counts were examined in a sample comprising 762 specimens, representing 25 genera and 38 species of captive non-human primates. Animals suffering from illnesses exhibited higher WBC counts than healthy specimens sampled during routine health checks. Analysis of basal WBC counts in healthy animals confirmed a positive correlation between higher cell counts and occurrences of multiple partner mating. This finding remained statistically significant after use of comparative analysis of independent contrasts (CAIC) to control for possible phylogenetic biases in the dataset. These findings were confirmed when using relative testis size as an independent index of mating system. By contrast, RBC counts were not significantly affected by health or correlated with mating systems. These studies confirm a correlation between WBC counts and primate mating systems, and extend the findings to include a positive correlation between WBC counts and relative testis size. However, the findings do not prove that a causal relationship between these variables exists. Further research is required to establish the evolutionary causation of basal WBC counts in primates.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Contraception for college students.

An important issue for human beings is the acquisition of normal sexual health, including the understanding and application of reproductive health when needed. Comprehensive sexuality education is not a topic provided to many children, adolescents, or college students in the United States, however. Students who were sexually active in high school may continue to be at risk for unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases in their college life; those who chose abstinence in high school may abandon this concept in college, choosing coital behavior at all levels of university life-freshman through graduate levels. Most American college students are sexually active and many have multiple partners. This article reviews current contraceptive methods available to college students. College health providers and pediatricians are urged to be vigilant about the reproductive health needs of the college students they serve.

Contraception↗

PubMed2005

A typology of groups at risk of HIV/STI in a gold mining town in north-western Tanzania.

Mining communities with migrant populations are high-risk locations for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection transmission in Sub-Saharan Africa. Interventions presupposing certain groups to be at high risk, such as those working exclusively as commercial sex workers, may divert attention from other high-risk groups. Qualitative research was conducted in a small town adjacent to a large-scale commercial gold mine in north-western Tanzania. Objectives were to identify populations at high risk of HIV and suggest suitable behavioural interventions by gaining an understanding of sexual behaviour patterns in the town. Rapid assessment procedures were employed comprising participant observation, informal questioning and in-depth interviews. Epidemiological categories of "core", "bridging" and "general" populations may not be adequate to the understanding of risk. Many types of women were found to receive payment for sex, distinguished by permanency of residence, age, relationship status, accommodation and income-earning activity. Paying for sex and having multiple partners was common among most men. The town was a high-risk environment as a result of the economic opportunities available there (in contrast to the poverty of surrounding areas), which were often accessed by offering sex in exchange for money or gifts. In this environment, the potential for spread of HIV infection between sub-populations was high and identification of distinct high- and low-risk groups not possible. However, the methodology enabled the identification of different social circumstances of risk, such as residential arrangements, employment status and venues for recreation, associated with different types of people. Targeted interventions may be oriented to specific circumstances in order to address risk practices in a culturally appropriate manner. It is useful to think of risk environments rather than attributing risk to types of people, and to target interventions to these environments. The methodology also enabled an approach to interventions sensitive to different circumstances associated with risk within the town while identifying structural factors affecting risk at the level of the town as a whole.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1998

Follow-up of sexual assault victims.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to describe medical findings and health-related concerns of sexual assault victims who returned for follow-up and to assess demographic and assault characteristics of victims who used follow-up services compared to those who did not. STUDY DESIGN: This study is a retrospective cohort analysis involving records from two sources: the acute sexual assault evidentiary examination and the SAFE (Sexual Assault Follow-up Evaluation) Clinic visit. Data were extracted from the records of 389 adolescent and adult victims who reported an acute sexual assault and underwent a complete evidentiary examination between January 1, 1995, and June 30, 1997. Descriptive statistics were generated on demographic and historical information, assault characteristics, and medical and laboratory findings. For the subgroup that presented for follow-up, additional descriptive statistics were generated to describe their interim history, concerns, medical outcomes, treatments, and psychosocial functioning. Chi2 analyses were used to identify differences in the group that returned for follow-up compared with the group that did not. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05. RESULTS: There were no differences in age, race, or perpetrator factors between patients who used follow-up services and patients who did not return to the SAFE Clinic. Similarly, there were no other assault characteristics, relationships, or physical examination findings that were associated with follow-up patterns. A total of 31% (n = 122) of all sexual assault victims returned for a follow-up visit. Physical complaints were reported by 42.6%, but 98.0% had normal findings at a general examination, and 94.8% had a normal result of gynecologic examination. Pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus, were identified through the follow-up clinic. Since the assault, 49.2% had been sexually active, 10% with multiple partners and 73.3% without consistent condom use. Disturbances in sleep, sexual function, and appetite were commonly reported among victims at follow-up. Numerous assault-related fears were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Among recent rape victims, follow-up rates are low, and there are no factors that correlate with the use of follow-up services. Those who do come in for follow-up have physical complaints and health-related concerns that are related to their recent assault, but most have normal physical findings. Efforts to reach sexual assault victims will require aggressive and innovative strategies to remain in contact with women and girls after rape.

Adolescent↗