Number Of Different Sexual Partners Research Articles

The invasion, persistence and spread of infectious diseases within animal and plant communities.

Recent theoretical and empirical studies of the population biology of infectious diseases have helped to improve our understanding of the major factors that influence the three phases of a successful invasion, namely initial establishment, persistence in the longer term and spread to other host communities. Of central importance in all three phases is the magnitude of the basic reproductive rate or transmission potential of the parasite. The value of this parameter is determined by a variety of biological properties of the association between an individual parasite and its host and the interaction between their populations. The recent epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in North America and Europe is employed to illustrate the factors that promote disease establishment and spread. The frequency distribution of the number of different sexual partners per unit of time within homosexual communities is shown to be of central importance with respect to future trends in the incidence of AIDS. Broader aspects of pathogen invasion are examined by reference to simple mathematical models of three species associations, which mirror parasite introduction into resident predator-prey, host-parasite and competitive interactions. Many outcomes are possible, depending on the values of the numerous parameters that influence multi-species population interactions. Pathogen invasion is shown to have far-reaching implications for the structure and stability of ecological communities.

AIDS Risk Reduction Recommendations and Sexual Behavior Patterns among Gay Men: A Multifactorial Categorical Approach to Assessing Change

A sample of 745 New York City gay men, aged 20-65, were interviewed in 1985 as part of a longitudinal effort to determine the behavioral, psychological, and social impact of the AIDS epidemic on the non-ill but at-risk community. Detailed sexual behavior histories were taken for the year prior to the interview (1984-1985) and the year prior to when respondents first heard about AIDS (mode = July 1981). Parallel questions were asked for each annual time period allowing pre-AIDS/post-AIDS comparisons to be conducted. A multifactorial index of sexual behavior was constructed from three categorical variables: number of different sexual partners, (0, 1, and 2 or more); engaging in sexual contact outside a private home, (0, vs. 1); and engaging in sexual acts considered to be of higher risk for exposure to disease pathogens (0 vs. 1). These three factors, representing aspects of sexual behavior targeted for change by authors of risk reduction educational materials, were combined to form a seven-level typological index of sexual behavior. Analyses are based on comparisons between pre- and post-AIDS time periods on this index. Results indicate that both substantial change and substantial lack of change have occurred in gay male sexual behavior patterns, when sexual behavior measures are scaled to reflect complete abstinence from a particular type of sexual activity, as they are here. Results are discussed in light of previously reported findings on sexual behavior changes and the ambiguity surrounding the question of how much change is needed for significant risk reduction of AIDS.

Ureaplasma urealyticum

Ureaplasma urealyticum organisms primarily colonize the male urethra and the vagina. Other genital and nongenital mucosal sites are colonized less frequently. About one-third of neonates are colonized as a result of acquisition of organisms from the birth canal. Less than 10% of older children and sexually inexperienced adults are colonized. Following sexual debut colonization rates increase with an increase in the number of different sexual partners. Ureaplasmal colonization is common among healthy sexually experienced adults, a fact which must be considered in assessing the role of these organisms in human disease.

Personality and sexual relations.

This investigation examined the links between self-monitoring propensities and orientations toward sexual relations. A factor analysis of behavioral and attitudinal survey data revealed that high selfmonitoring individuals tend to establish an unrestricted orientation toward sexual relations (such that they may engage in sex with others to whom they are not necessarily psychologically close), whereas low self-monitoring individuals tend to establish a restricted orientation (such that they will engage in sex only with partners to whom they are psychologically close). At the behavioral level, high relative to low self-monitoring individuals indicated that they had a larger number of different sexual partners within the preceding year, could foresee themselves having sex with a larger number of different partners within the next 5 years, and were more likely to have engaged in sex with someone on only one occasion. At an attitudinal level, low relative to high self-monitoring individuals indicated that they would be more reluctant to have sex with someone to whom they were not committed, and that they would be more uncomfortable with, and less likely to enjoy engaging in, casual sex with different partners. Possible origins and implications of these contrasting orientations are discussed. Throughout the ages, it has been a matter for contemplation, debate, and personal statement: Given human nature, what is the role of love, closeness, and commitment in sexual relations between consenting partners? Are and commitment necessary prerequisites for sexual relations? Is the sexual experience empty and meaningless without psychological closeness between the partners? Or can sex be a comfortable, enjoyable, and even enriching experience for partners who, although attracted to each other, are not psychologically close? If one samples literary, academic, or personal statements made on this issue, one is likely to find pronounced disagreement. Compare and contrast, for instance, the views of Bertrand Russell, Civilized people cannot fully satisfy their sexual instinct without love (1929), and Adrienne Rich, I'd call it if love/ didn't take so many years/ but lust too is a jewel (1966). Indeed, at least within Western cultures, there may be reliable and substantive differences in orientations toward sexual relations. Some people believe that—at least for themselves—sexual relations need not be restricted to relationships in which they and their partners are psychologically close. They may claim, for instance, that if they were attracted to someone, they would feel comfortable and at ease engaging in sex with that person, even if they did not know him or her well. Such people may be said to

FEMALE PROSTITUTES: A RISK GROUP FOR INFECTION WITH HUMAN T-CELL LYMPHOTROPIC VIRUS TYPE III

In July, 1984 33 female prostitutes in Rwanda and 25 male customers of prostitutes were assessed clinically and for their T-lymphocyte subsets and frequency of antibodies to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III). 27 healthy males who denied contact with prostitutes, 33 healthy women who were not prostitutes, and 51 Rwandese prostitutes seen in 1983 served as controls. Only 6 prostitutes were symptom-free (group I), 13 had unexplained generalised lymphadenopathy (LAP) (group II), and 14 had LAP and constitutional symptoms (group III). Mean OKT4/OKT8 ratio in groups II and III was significantly lower than that in group I or in female controls. HTLV-III antibodies were detected in 29 of 33 prostitutes, 4 female controls, 7 male customers, and 2 male controls. In male customers, HTLV-III seropositivity increased according to the number of different sexual partners per year. This study suggests that in Central Africa prostitutes are a high-risk group for HTLV-III infection.

Infection control in the patient with AIDS

In this discussion of infection control in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), attention is directed to nursing. Due to the fact that the majority of individuals who suffer with AIDS will be homosexual, intravenous drug users, or both, it is essential that the nurse historian be aware of his/her own feelings about the lifestyles of these patients. History-taking should be done in a nonjudgmental manner. A major pitfall to be avoided when taking a history is making assumptions about an individual's sexual preferences or activities based on the response to a simple question about marital status. It is important to note whether or not the person has a monogamous relationship or leads a polyandrous lifestyle. Another area that should be tactfully but explicitly explored when interviewing an individual who is homosexual or bisexual is the number of different sexual partners that he/she has been involved with on a weekly or monthly basis. Whether the patient has a history of sexually transmitted diseases should be determined. The use of recreational drugs should be explored. When taking the history of a client who uses intravenous drugs, it is important for the nurse to record the agents and sites of injection as well as to note whether the individual uses his/her own equipment. When reviewing the major body systems and the presence or absence of related symptoms, the nurse should note whether the client has experienced skin rashes/lesions, swollen lymph nodes, fever, extreme fatigue, weight loss, shortness of breath, changes in bowel habits, cuts or bruises that do not heal, and headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, or stiff neck. The physical examination of the individual with AIDS and an opportunistic infection usually will reveal positive findings in the central nervous system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, and/or the integumentary system, as well as the lymphatic system. As the leading cause of morbidity in the compromised host is infection, infection prevention should be regarded as a pragmatic necessity. 2 major things that nurses can do in the acute care setting to control infection are to limit the frequency of invasive or traumatic procedures and to reduce the acquisition of new potential pathogens.

A multifactorial model for the development of AIDS in homosexual men.

The authors present a multifactorial model for the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in homosexual men. It is posited that there is no specific AIDS agent; rather, AIDS is conceptualized as the result of an interaction of the known or likely effects of repeated exposures to specific environmental factors. It is suggested that different pathways may lead to similar disorders of immune regulation in other groups affected by AIDS. The salient environmental factors include: repeated exposures to multiple allogenic semen, repeated infection with cytomegalovirus, and infection with other sexually transmitted pathogens. It is proposed that AIDS develops in 2 stages: a reversible stage of disease acquisition followed by a self-sustaining stage of disease progression. Promiscuity is critical to the 1st stage, since it is associated with an accumulation of effects that eventually lead to the 2nd stage. The frequency with which an individual is reexposed to cytomegalovirus is a function of the number of different sexual partners, the prevalence of cytomegalovirus carriage in the population with whose members the person interacts, and the specific nature of sexual practice (e.g., passive anal intercourse). Epstein-Barr virus plays an important role in contributing to disordered immune regulation. The central defect in the self-sustaining stage of AIDS development is an inability of cytotoxic lymphocytes to clear cells infected by cytomegalovirus as a result of both humoral factors and cellular factors. If cytotoxic function becomes further inhibited, expansion of the total cytomegalovirus antigenic load will result in further immunosuppression. Such a multifactorial model is believed to facilitate epidemiologic analysis.

Infection with cytomegalovirus in homosexual men.

The prevalence and incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections were studied in a group of homosexual men. Of the 710 participants, 501 (70.6%) had complement fixing antibodies to CMV on entry to the study. During the follow up (maximum 23 months) 69 CMV infections were found: 50 primary infections among the 209 seronegative men (attack rate 27.3%), and 19 recurrent infections among the 501 seropositive men (attack rate 6.2%). The prevalence of antibody to CMV was correlated with four characteristics of the participants' lifestyles: duration of homosexual activity, number of different sexual partners, history of syphilis, and anal sexual contact. Among the seronegative men, the incidence of primary infection with CMV correlated with a history of syphilis and anal sexual contact. We conclude that infections with CMV are highly prevalent among homosexual men, and that anal sexual contact plays an important part in the transmission of this virus.

Prevalence and incidence of hepatitis A among male homosexuals.

In a study of 689 male homosexuals 290 (42%) were found to have antibodies to hepatitis A virus. The 399 men who did not have antibodies were followed up for up to 690 days, and 35 cases of hepatitis A were detected. The attack rate at the end of the study was 14%. The incidence climbed steadily, indicating that the cases of hepatitis A did not occur in clusters. Statistical analysis showed that the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus was significantly correlated with the duration of homosexual activity (p less than 0.006), and this was independent of age. The incidence of hepatitis A was found to be correlated with the number of different sexual partners in the preceding six months. It is concluded that hepatitis A is a sexually transmitted disease among homosexual men in countries with a low rate of exposure to hepatitis A during childhood.