Long-term Sexual Partners Research Articles

Occurrence and Factors Associated with HIV-Sero-Discordance in Couples at Iganga General Hospital-Iganga District, Eastern Uganda

HIV sero-discordant refers to a situation where in a pair of long-term sexual partners, one is HIV positive and the other is HIV negative. There is an increased risk of HIV transmission to the HIV-negative partner in discordant couples which makes HIV serodiscordant a hindrance to HIV control and prevention strategies. Sero-discordance is one of the factors affecting the impact of HIV prevention strategies, therefore effective HIV prevention strategies must consider HIV discordance. Limited knowledge about the prevalence of HIV serodiscordant in the community hinders the formulation of appropriate strategies for effective control of HIV transmission. The study was aimed at determining the prevalence of HIV serodiscordant and its associated factors among couples attending Iganga General Hospital. The knowledge generated will guide the stakeholders in formulating HIV prevention and control strategies aimed at reducing HIV transmission. A cross-sectional hospital-based study was carried out through the conduction of guided interviews using a questionnaire to random-systematically selected 250 couples attending IGH. Data was analyzed and presented in tables with percentages comparing different factors. The HIV seroprevalence was 6.8%. The prevalence of discordance was 4.8% among participant couples and 52.2% among the infected couples. HIV serodiscordant was associated with sexual practice (83.3%), circumcision status of the male partner in the couple (58.3%), condom use (58.3%), use of ARVs by the HIV-infected partner (25%), and experience of STIs among partners (25%). The prevalence of HIV serodiscordant among the participant couples was 4.8%, associated mainly with sexual practice, circumcision, and condom use. Keywords: HIV transmission, Discordant couples, Sexual partners, Condom, Serodiscordant

Sexual behaviour of backpackers who visit Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, Thailand: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo measure the proportion of backpackers engaging in unprotected sex while travelling in Thailand and to identify predictors of unsafe sexual behaviour.MethodsA cross-sectional study using an anonymous questionnaire was performed....

Women's Preferences for Penis Size: A New Research Method Using Selection among 3D Models.

Women’s preferences for penis size may affect men’s comfort with their own bodies and may have implications for sexual health. Studies of women’s penis size preferences typically have relied on their abstract ratings or selecting amongst 2D, flaccid images. This study used haptic stimuli to allow assessment of women’s size recall accuracy for the first time, as well as examine their preferences for erect penis sizes in different relationship contexts. Women (N = 75) selected amongst 33, 3D models. Women recalled model size accurately using this method, although they made more errors with respect to penis length than circumference. Women preferred a penis of slightly larger circumference and length for one-time (length = 6.4 inches/16.3 cm, circumference = 5.0 inches/12.7 cm) versus long-term (length = 6.3 inches/16.0 cm, circumference = 4.8 inches/12.2 cm) sexual partners. These first estimates of erect penis size preferences using 3D models suggest women accurately recall size and prefer penises only slightly larger than average.

Biologic predictors of serologic responses to HPV in oropharyngeal cancer: The HOTSPOT study

We hypothesized that viral and host factors impact the serologic responses to HPV early antigens in HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer (HPVOPC). We conducted a multicenter study to measure HPV16-specific IgG among patients with HPVOPC, their long-term sexual partners, and healthy volunteers. Risk factor surveys and rinse and gargle specimens were collected. Peripheral blood samples at diagnosis were evaluated for IgG Abs to HPV16 antigens using a programmable ELISA assay. Predictors for HPV16 serologic responses were evaluated using univariate and multivariable linear regression. 116 patients with HPVOPC, 43 partners, and 81 healthy volunteers were enrolled and had baseline sera for analysis. Cases were primarily male (90%), with a median age of 56 years. Abs to E1, E2, E6 or E7 antigens were detected more often in HPVOPC compared with volunteers or partner sera (p<0.0001). HPV16 Abs to at least one early protein (E1, E2, E4, E5, E6, or E7) were detected in the sera of 90.6% of cases, 0% of partners and 7.4% of healthy volunteers. Gender, race, sexual behavior, and viral integration were not associated with antibody response. Younger age and higher oral HPV16 copy number were associated with higher HPV16 E6 and NE2 antibody levels. HPV16 seroreactivity is commonly detected among patients with HPVOPC at diagnosis, but not among partners or healthy volunteers. Seroreactivity among cases are correlated with viral load and stage and not with other demographic or behavioral factors. Positive HPV16 serology was strongly associated with HPV 16 oropharyngeal cancer.

Comparisons of the effectiveness of mate-attraction tactics across mate poaching and general attraction and across types of romantic relationships

Mate poaching occurs when individuals knowingly steal someone else’s mate for sex. Attempts to poach present challenges additional to those associated with non-poaching or general attraction. However, of Schmitt and Buss’ (2001) 24 comparisons of the effectiveness of mate- attraction tactics, only one indicated tactics to be less effective in poaching than in general attraction. In the current research, 215 participants (125 men and 90 women) were instructed to imagine they were in different relationship contexts. For the poaching context, participants imagined they were dating, living with a mate, or married. For the general attraction context, participants imagined they were not in a monogamous relationship. They reported how wealthy or attractive an individual would need to be to attract them as a short-mate sexual partner, long-term sexual partner, and monogamous relationship. As hypothesized, for all contexts, participants reported that the wealth and attractiveness required was greater if they were dating, living with a mate, and married than if they were not in a monogamous relationship. Comparisons across dating, living with a mate, and married indicated that the greater the level of commitment, the greater the wealth and attractiveness required to attract participants from it.

Oral Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection in HPV-Positive Patients With Oropharyngeal Cancer and Their Partners

To better understand oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cancer risk among long-term sexual partners of patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC). An oral rinse sample, risk factor survey, cancer history, and oral examination (partners only) were collected from patients with HPV-OPC and their partners. Oral rinse samples were evaluated for 36 types of HPV DNA using PGMY 09/11 primers and line-blot hybridization and HPV16 copy number using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Oral HPV prevalence was compared with infection among those age 45 to 65 years using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2010. A total of 164 patients with HPV-OPC and 93 of their partners were enrolled. Patients were primarily men (90%), were never-smokers (51%), and had performed oral sex (97%), with a median age of 56 years; they had a high prevalence of oncogenic oral HPV DNA (61%) and oral HPV16 DNA (54%) at enrollment. Female partners had comparable oncogenic oral HPV prevalence compared with members of the general population of the same age (1.2% v 1.3%). Among the six male partners, no oncogenic oral HPV infections were detected. No precancers or cancers were identified during partner oral cancer screening examinations. However, a history of cervical disease was reported by nine partners (10.3%) and two female patients (11.8%), and three patients (2.0%) reported a previous partner who developed invasive cervical cancer. Oral HPV16 DNA is commonly detected among patients with HPV-OPC at diagnosis, but not among their partners. Partners of patients with HPV-OPC do not seem to have elevated oral HPV infection compared with the general population.

Concurrent oral human papilloma virus infection in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: a preliminary study.

To determine oral human papilloma virus (HPV) colonization in patients with adult-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (AO-RRP) and their long-term partners. Prospective, cohort study Patients with pathology-confirmed AO-RRP and a small cohort of their long-term partners were subjected to a standardized oral rinse and swab protocol to obtain oral epithelial cells. DNA from these samples was extracted and subjected to both qualitative analyses via multiplex polymerase chain reaction as well as to a commercially available linear array assay for the determination of specific HPV subtypes. Samples were collected from 27 patients with AO-RRP and six long-term sexual partners. Qualitative analysis of agarose gel products using a multiple genotype primer cocktail suggested the presence of HPV DNA in oral rinse or swabs in 26 patients (96%) and four partner samples (67%). A subset of these positive patient samples was then subjected to genotyping; a spectrum of HPV subtypes was observed. Interestingly, HPV81 was identified in many samples. Recent data suggest that less than 7% of the general population is HPV positive in the oral cavity. Our data suggest that the oral colonization rate is much higher in patients with AO-RRP. Additionally, long-term sexual partners of patients with RRP had a much higher rate of HPV positivity. These preliminary data may have implications for viral transmission and provide a framework for enhanced patient education as well as further investigation. 4.

Sociosexual Orientation and 2D:4D Ratios in Women: Relationship to Men’s Desirability Ratings as a Long-Term Pair Bond

The current study examined whether men's ratings of women's desirability as a long-term pairbond, based on static photographs, were related to the women's second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio and their sexual attitudes and behavior. The 2D:4D ratio was measured in 164 women and facial photographs were taken of 55 of these women. All women completed the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI). Male participants (n = 89), masked to this information, rated the 55 female participants on their desirability as a long-term sexual partner, specifically along dimensions of faithfulness, youthfulness, and attractiveness. Ten independent judges rated women's photographed faces on masculinity. Results indicated a significant negative relationship between women's SOI scores and men's faithfulness ratings (more unrestricted sociosexuality was associated with lower faithfulness ratings). There was also a significant positive relationship between right (but not left) 2D:4D ratio and faithfulness ratings (women with female-like ratios were rated as being more faithful). The SOI scores of the women were not related to 2D:4D ratios. These results suggest that the potential for sexual infidelity can be gleaned from static facial cues.

Selflessness is sexy: reported helping behaviour increases desirability of men and women as long-term sexual partners

BackgroundDespite its short-term costs, behaviour that appears altruistic can increase an individual’s inclusive fitness by earning direct (selfish) and/or indirect (kin-selected) benefits. An evolved preference for other-regarding or helping behaviour in potential mates has been proposed as an additional mechanism by which these behaviours can yield direct fitness benefits in humans.ResultsWe asked 32 heterosexual women and 35 heterosexual men to rate the attractiveness of members of the opposite sex in the presence and the absence of information about helping behaviours. Reports of helping behaviour were associated with a significant increase in the attractiveness of both men and women as potential long-term sexual partners. Altruism also increased the attractiveness of men as potential partners for short-term flings, but to a lesser extent than when the same men were being considered for long-term relationships. Altruism did not affect the attractiveness of women as partners for short-term flings.ConclusionsOur results unite two important areas of evolutionary theory – social evolution and sexual selection – and extend the list of means by which helping behaviours, which appear at first glance to be costly to the actor, can in fact earn direct fitness benefits. Helping behaviours may be attractive because they signal ‘good genes’ and/or because they are perceived as a signal of likely provision of non-genetic benefits (e.g. parental care). Exactly why helping behaviours in a non-mating context might be attractive to potential mates, and whether they are honest signals of mate quality, remains to be elucidated.

Associations between body morphology, mating success and mate preferences among Slovak males and females

Human body morphology is thought to be correlated with sexual behaviour and sociosexuality (defined as an increased willingness to engage in sex without commitment) influences the perception of certain cues of physical attractiveness. Based on a sample of Slovak university students, we investigated relationships between 1) male and female mating success and reported body morphology (body mass index, BMI and waist-to-hip ratio, WHR) and 2) mate preference characteristics and mating success. Both males and females reported a similar number of long-term sexual partners and frequency of engaging in extra-pair copulation (EPC). The mating success of both sexes was positively mediated by self-perceived attractiveness. However, female BMI was inversely associated with mating success whereas increasing BMI was positively associated with male mating success (the total number of lifetime sexual partners) as well as with the likelihood of engaging in EPC. Unrestricted sociosexuality positively correlated with direct and indirect benefits from mating and negatively with the religious/political background of a potential mate and with the desire for a home/ children. These results confirm the hypothesis that human body morphology is associated with sexual behaviour and that cues of direct/indirect benefits in a potential mate positively correlate with sociosexuality.

Sexting, Substance Use, and Sexual Risk Behavior in Young Adults

Cell phone use has become more widespread over the past decade. Young adults are frequently early adopters of new technologies, including cell phones. Most previous research examining sexting, the act of sending sexually explicit or suggestive images via text message, has focused on the legal or social consequences of this behavior. The current study focused on the public health implications of sexting by examining associations between sexting, substance use, and sexual risk behavior in youth. Young adults (N = 763) completed online questionnaires assessing demographics, cell phone use (e.g., texting, sexting), substance use, and sexual risk behaviors. Sexting was reported by a substantial minority of participants (44%). Compared with their nonsexting counterparts, participants who engaged in sexting were more likely to report recent substance use and high-risk sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex and sex with multiple partners. Of those who engaged in sexting, a considerable percentage (31.8%) reported having sex with a new partner for the first time after sexting with that person. In multivariate analyses, sexting was associated with high-risk sexual behavior, after accounting for demographic factors, total texting behaviors, and substance use. Results suggest that sexting is robustly associated with high-risk sexual behavior. Many individuals exchange explicit or provocative photos with long-term sexual partners, but at least some participants in this study were incurring new sexual risks after sexting. Additional research is needed to understand the contexts in which sexting occurs, motivations for sexting, and relationship of sexting to risk behavior.

HIV-1 Superinfection in the Antiretroviral Therapy Era: Are Seroconcordant Sexual Partners at Risk?

BackgroundAcquisition of more than one strain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has been reported to occur both during and after primary infection, but the risks and repercussions of dual and superinfection are incompletely understood. In this study, we evaluated a longitudinal cohort of chronically HIV-infected men who were sexual partners to determine if individuals acquired their partners' viral strains.MethodologyOur cohort of HIV-positive men consisted of 8 couples that identified themselves as long-term sexual partners. Viral sequences were isolated from each subject and analyzed using phylogenetic methods. In addition, strain-specific PCR allowed us to search for partners' viruses present at low levels. Finally, we used computational algorithms to evaluate for recombination between partners' viral strains.Principal Findings/ConclusionsAll couples had at least one factor associated with increased risk for acquisition of new HIV strains during the study, including detectable plasma viral load, sexually transmitted infections, and unprotected sex. One subject was dually HIV-1 infected, but neither strain corresponded to that of his partner. Three couples' sequences formed monophyletic clusters at the entry visit, with phylogenetic analysis suggesting that one member of the couple had acquired an HIV strain from his identified partner or that both had acquired it from the same source outside their partnership. The 5 remaining couples initially displayed no evidence of dual infection, using phylogenetic analysis and strain-specific PCR. However, in 1 of these couples, further analysis revealed recombinant viral strains with segments of viral genomes in one subject that may have derived from the enrolled partner. Thus, chronically HIV-1 infected individuals may become superinfected with additional HIV strains from their seroconcordant sexual partners. In some cases, HIV-1 superinfection may become apparent when recombinant viral strains are detected.

Short Communication:SDF1-3′A Gene Mutation Is Correlated with Increased Susceptibility to HIV Type 1 Infection by Sexual Transmission in Han Chinese

Limited information is available on host genetic polymorphisms that confer resistance to HIV-1 infection in Han Chinese who persistently remain seronegative (HEPS) despite high exposure to HIV-1 through unprotected sexual activity with known HIV-1-seropositive spouses or long-term sexual partners. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of CCR5-Delta32, CCR2b-64I, and SDF1-3'A polymorphisms with susceptibility to HIV-1 infection through sexual transmission in Han Chinese. A cross-sectional study was used to analyze the differences in allelic frequencies of CCR5-Delta32, CCR2b-64I, and SDF1-3'A among HEPS, healthy HIV-unexposed individuals, and HIV-1-seropositive individuals. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was used for genotype determination. The CCR5-Delta32 mutation was not detected in the three groups (n = 260). The allelic frequencies of CCR2b-64I were 21.57%, 21.63%, and 22.12% in the three groups, respectively. There was no significant difference among the three groups in CCR2b-64I distribution. The allelic frequencies of SDF1-3'A were 20.19%, 28.37%, and 29.33% in the three groups, respectively. There was a significant difference in the allelic distribution of SDF1-3'A between HEPS and healthy HIV-unexposed individuals (p = 0.023), as well as between HEPS and HIV-1-seropositive individuals (p = 0.049). Statistical analysis showed that the allelic distributions on CCR2b-64I and SDF1-3'A were in equilibrium according to the Hardy-Weinberg equation. The mutant genotypes of CCR5-Delta32 and CCR2b-64I were not correlated with HIV-1 infection through sexual transmission in Han Chinese. SDF1- 3'A was associated with a high risk of HIV-1 infection through sexual transmission in Han Chinese.

Down low sex, older African American women, and HIV infection.

The phenomenon of down low sex, wherein men involved in monogamous relationships with women seek extrarelationship sexual relations with men, has gained recognition in recent years. This study addressed the issue of down low sex in a group of African American women whose long-term sexual partners had become infected with HIV during extramarital sexual encounters with men. A grounded theory methodology was used to explore the experiences of 11 women in individual interviews that were sensitive to the intimate nature of their experiences. Themes shown in the data focused on (a) being betrayed and losing trust; (b) reflecting upon the features of the past relationship; (c) seeking the positive aspects of the past relationship; (d) being ashamed before God, community, and family; and (e) assuming the caregiver role and sharing the burden of illness. The study identified the strong influence of positive long-term relationships on life decisions of women following a diagnosis of HIV, despite the extrarelationship sexual activities of their partners.

Sexual Practices and Sexual Satisfaction: A Population Based Study of Chinese Urban Adults

This study examined sexual satisfaction and its social and behavioral correlates among urbanites aged 20-64 in China, using data from a nationally representative sample of 1,194 women and 1,217 men with a spouse or other long-term sexual partner with whom they had sex during the last year. The results from structural equation models suggest a multiplex set of determinants of sexual satisfaction, including relationship characteristics, sexual knowledge and personal values, physical vitality, and environmental impediments. A large proportion of the effect of these background characteristics was mediated by frequent orgasms, varied sexual practices, and perceived partner affection. In particular, much of the effect of knowledge and beliefs was mediated through variety in sexual practices. While many of the observed patterns were shared among women and men, much of the effect of relationship characteristics was mediated through perceived partner affection for women. Men, in contrast, paid greater attention to his partner's physical attractiveness and to her extramarital sex. A sexual transition is well underway in urban China, even if more rapidly for men than for women. While knowledge and values are arguably more important in this transitional period, many antecedents of sexual well-being drawn from the literature on sexual behavior in developed Western countries are also applicable to urban China.

The influence of pregnancy on the development of autoimmunity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

To examine whether pregnancy influences the development of autoimmunity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), we studied 591 consecutive CLL patients (202 post-menopausal women and 389 men). The mean observation time for all patients was 3.8 years, corresponding to approximately 2200 person-years of follow-up. Autoimmune manifestations were analyzed in 194 women with known obstetric history and known number of long-term sexual partners, and in the 389 male CLL patients for comparison. One hundred and fifty-nine of the CLL patients exhibited autoimmune manifestations, 38% in females and 21% in men. In female CLL patients, the frequency of autoimmunity and the number of pregnancies and the number of partners were strongly correlated. Each of the major autoimmune types approximately doubled in frequency for each additional pregnancy. The impact of pregnancy on expressed autoimmunity increased with each additional sexual partner (the odds of autoimmunity increased 11 times with each long-term sexual partner). The average numbers of pregnancies in female CLL patients with and without autoimmunity were 4.92 and 2.24, respectively (P < 0.001). Coombs' positive autoimmune anemia, a gastric ulcer with parietal cell autoantibodies and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura were equally common in women and men, whereas autoimmune thyroiditis, Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus were seen in higher rates in women than in men. The spectrum of autoimmunity suggests that pregnancy-related alloimmunization may be involved in the development of autoimmunity in CLL.

Attractiveness and sexual behavior: Does attractiveness enhance mating success?

If attractiveness is an important cue for mate choice, as proposed by evolutionary psychologists, then attractive individuals should have greater mating success than their peers. We tested this hypothesis in a large sample of adults. Facial attractiveness correlated with the number of short-term, but not long-term, sexual partners, for males, and with the number of long-term, but not short-term, sexual partners and age of first sex, for females. Body attractiveness also correlated significantly with the number of short-term, but not long-term, sexual partners, for males, and attractive males became sexually active earlier than their peers. Body attractiveness did not correlate with any sexual behavior variable for females. To determine which aspects of attractiveness were important, we examined associations between sexual behaviors and three components of attractiveness: sexual dimorphism, averageness, and symmetry. Sexual dimorphism showed the clearest associations with sexual behaviors. Masculine males (bodies, similar trend for faces) had more short-term sexual partners, and feminine females (faces) had more long-term sexual partners than their peers. Feminine females (faces) also became sexually active earlier than their peers. Average males (faces and bodies) had more short-term sexual partners and more extra-pair copulations (EPC) than their peers. Symmetric women (faces) became sexually active earlier than their peers. Given that male reproductive success depends more on short-term mating opportunities than does female reproductive success, these findings suggest that individuals of high phenotypic quality have higher mating success than their lower quality counterparts.

Are human female preferences for symmetrical male faces enhanced when conception is likely?

Human females show a preference for the scent of symmetrical male bodies and appearance of masculine male faces only when conception is likely. These traits are thought to be signs of male quality. We examined whether females show an enhanced visual preference for another putative sign of mate quality, facial symmetry, when conception is likely. Twenty-nine females not taking oral contraceptives (nonpill users) rated the attractiveness of male faces varying in symmetry level (low, normal, high and perfect) for a short-term sexual partner at two phases of the menstrual cycle (low and high conception risk). They also rated the attractiveness of male faces for a long-term sexual partner and female faces for general attractiveness. We also tested a control group of 27 pill users. An overall preference for symmetry was found in all participants. However, the hypothesized enhanced cyclic preference for symmetrical male faces in nonpill users was not found. Nor was there an effect of relationship context. These results may be more consistent with a direct benefit or sensory bias model for preference evolution than with an indirect genetic benefit model. Copyright 2002 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hepatitis in haemophilia.

Hepatitis in haemophilia.

HIV-specific cytotoxic T-cells in HIV-exposed but uninfected Gambian women.

A crucial requirement in the rational design of a prophylactic vaccine against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is to establish whether or not protective immunity can occur following natural infection. The immune response to HIV infection is characterized by very vigorous HIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity. We have identified four HIV-1 and HIV-2 cross-reactive peptide epitopes, presented to CTL from HIV-infected Gambians by HLA-B35 (the most common Gambian class I HLA molecule). These peptides were used to elicit HIV-specific CTLs from three out of six repeatedly exposed but HIV-seronegative female prostitutes with HLA-B35. These women remain seronegative with no evidence of HIV infection by polymerase chain reaction or viral culture. Their CTL activity may represent protective immunity against HIV infection.