AEGiS-08IAC: Heterosexual transmission of HIV infection in Mexico.

8th International AIDS Conference


Amsterdam, Netherlands — July 19-24, 1992

Print this Article


Heterosexual transmission of HIV infection in Mexico.

Int Conf AIDS 1992 Jul 19-24; 8:We61 (abstract no. WeC 1089)
Lopez L, Orozco S, Hernandez-Avila M, Ramirez A, Hernandez G, Sepulveda J; Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica, Mexico.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the risk factors associated with the transmission of HIV to sexual partners of HIV infected subjects.

METHODS: A mixed cross-sectional longitudinal study was carried out in Mexico City, from October 1989 to December 1991. In all, 345 couples were identified and interviewed in various settings in Mexico City. After one month, follow-up visits were made by a team of psychologist, who visited 180 discordant couples in their homes. The structured questionnaire that was used in this study included sociodemographics, sexual behavior, and questions related to risk factors for HIV infection. Serum samples were also obtained to determine the presence of antibodies to HIV; the ELISA method was confirmed by Western blot assay.

RESULTS: A strong association was found between the presence of vaginal discharge and positive serostatus among female partners of infected male subjects (O.R. = 3.41; 95% C.I. = 1.65-7.09). Also, a significantly higher proportion of these women reported a history of genital ulcers (10.5% vs. 1.7%). No significant associations were found in regard to condom and oral contraceptive use. Anal intercourse was significantly higher among infected males compared to the corresponding proportion of uninfected male subjects (43.3% vs. 13.3%). After diagnosis, 95% of the couples reported sexual abstinency. After 2 years of follow-up we have not observed seroconversions among discordant couples.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that women's mucous membrane integrity is an important factor in the heterosexual transmission of HIV in Mexico. Our data suggest that changes in sexual practices after diagnosis were important factors for prevention of HIV infection.

Keywords: AEGIS, Heterosexuality, HIV Infections, Sexual Partners, Condoms, Cross-Sectional Studies, Sexuality, Risk Factors, Mexico, Human, Female, Male, transmission, ICA8KWDaegis,heterosexuality,hivinfections,sexualpartners,condoms,cross-sectionalstudies,sexuality,riskfactors,mexico,human,female,male,transmission,ica8
920719
WeC1089

Copyright © 1992 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.