Prevalence Of High-risk Sexual Behaviors Research Articles

A Tale of Two “Cultures”: HIV Risk Narratives in South Africa

There has been a tendency for many researchers and health professionals examining HIV transmission in South Africa to focus on explanations that specifically implicate culture as a primary vector affecting the prevalence of high-risk sexual behavior, such as multiple partners, unprotected sex, and dry sex. In contrast, the residents of Orange Farm, a former informal settlement south of Soweto, portray culture as seldom, if ever, motivating actions that are associated with HIV transmission or prevention in the community. Comparing and contrasting these differing conceptions, we comment critically on the use of ideas regarding culture in explanations addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa.

Prostate-specific antigen, sexual behavior, and sexually transmitted infections in US men 40–59 years old, 2001–2004: a cross – sectional study

BackgroundSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are hypothesized to play a role in the development of prostate cancer, perhaps due to inflammation-induced oncogenesis. We assessed in a nationally representative population of middle-aged men whether sexual behavior indicators for an increased risk of genital infection were associated with serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration, a marker of prostatic disease and inflammation.ResultsThe percentage of men between the ages of 40 and 59 with a PSA ≥ 4.0 ng/ml was 2.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8% – 3.8%). The percentage of men between the ages of 40 and 59 self-reporting a past diagnosis of genital warts or genital herpes, or a recent diagnosis of gonorrhea or chlamydia is estimated to be 7.3% (95% CI, 6.2% – 8.6%). Men self-reporting that they had had sex without using a condom in the past month had a lower PSA concentration and higher %fPSA than those who did not. There were no associations between any of the other sexual activity or laboratory measures and PSA or %fPSA.ConclusionIn this nationally representative sample of middle-aged American men, we did not find consistent evidence for an association between sexual behavior or a history of STIs and PSA levels. Therefore, sexual factors are unlikely to lead to falsely elevated PSA tests in this population. We cannot rule out the role of these factors in causing false positive PSA tests in subgroups of the population that have a higher prevalence of high-risk sexual behavior, and more protracted or recent exposures to these agents.

Meta-Analysis of High-Risk Sexual Behavior in Persons Aware and Unaware They are Infected With HIV in the United States

To compare the prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviors in HIV persons aware of their serostatus with that in HIV persons unaware of their status in the United States and to discuss implications for HIV prevention programs. A meta-analysis was conducted on 11 independent findings. Six findings compared HIV(+) aware persons with independent groups of HIV(+) unaware persons (between-group comparisons), and 5 findings compared seroconverting individuals before and after being notified of their HIV status (within-subject comparisons). Outcomes were self-reported unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse (UAV) during specified recall periods. The analysis integrating all 11 findings indicated that the prevalence of UAV with any partner was an average of 53% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 45%-60%) lower in HIV persons aware of their status relative to HIV(+) persons unaware of their status. There was a 68% reduction (95% CI: 59%-76%) after adjusting the data of the primary studies to focus on UAV with partners who were not already HIV(+). The reductions were larger in between-group comparisons than in within-subject comparisons. Findings for men and women were highly similar. The prevalence of high-risk sexual behavior is reduced substantially after people become aware they are HIV(+). Increased emphasis on HIV testing and counseling is needed to reduce exposure to HIV(+) from persons unaware they are infected. Ongoing prevention services are needed for persons who know they are HIV(+) and continue to engage in high-risk behavior.

Characteristics and predictors of HIV risk behaviors among injection-drug-using men and women in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviors and drug-using behaviors in a large community sample of male and female injection drug users (IDUs) in St. Petersburg, Russia. This investigation used a data collection plan that systematically recruited a drug user sample from venues where IDUs were known to congregate and could be accessed. Surveys were completed by 239 IDUs (males = 139, females = 100), aged 13-25. Participants averaged 44 injections (range = 0-240) in the past 30 days, with heroin (70%) and heroin plus other drugs (20%) the most frequently used. Participants' mean age of first drug injecting was 17.6 years, 41% of participants regularly shared needles, most had multiple sexual partners (mean = 9.3 partners in the past 3 months), and 70% reported engaging in vaginal intercourse without condoms. Stepwise logistic regression showed that high-risk sexual behavior was predicted by being female, young, using heroin several times a month, and less negative attitudes toward using condoms. Effective HIV prevention efforts for IDUs in Russia must be tailored to their age, gender, drug use, and condom attitudes. These programs will also have to address the dual risk factors, unique to IDUs, of risky sexual behaviors and needle sharing. Without a rapid intervention response, Russia's HIV/AIDS crisis will soon turn catastrophic.

Sexual Activity among College Students Living in Residence Halls and Fraternity or Sorority Housing

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviors among college students at a midwestern university. The sexual behaviors portion of the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey was used to collect data from 735 university students who were 18 years of age or older, never married, and lived in residence halls or in fraternity/sorority (F/S) housing. The independent variables for analysis were gender, residence, and F/S affiliation. The dependent variables were the various sexual behaviors (e.g., number of lifetime sexual partners, condom use, alcohol/drug use prior to sexual intercourse, etc.). The majority of the students (n = 634, 86.3%) had experienced sexual intercourse. Students living in F/S housing had more lifetime sexual intercourse partners and engaged in more sexual activity during the 30 days preceding the survey than students living in the residence halls. F/S members were more likely to use alcohol and/or drugs prior to last sexual intercourse than nonmembers. Overall, students in this study reported fewer lifetime sexual intercourse partners, more current sexual activity, and more consistent condom use than students nationally. Students in the study used alcohol and/or drugs prior to last sexual intercourse at more than two times the nationally reported figure.

The prevalence of high-risk sexual behavior in male intravenous drug users with steady female partners.

A sample of 149 (70 White, 79 Black) male intravenous drug users with steady female sexual partners was interviewed in 1987, in treatment and street settings, about sexual practices during the previous five years. Eighty-three percent had multiple partners, 15 percent reported male sexual contact, 38 percent reported heterosexual anal intercourse, and 73 percent never used condoms. Thirty-seven White and 30 Black subjects reported bisexuality or heterosexual and intercourse or both.