AIDSWEEKLY Plus; Monday, November 15, 2004
Staff Medical Writers

In a recent report published in the journal AIDS, researchers in England conducted a study "to determine risk factors for HIV transmission within married couples in four urban populations in Sub-Saharan Africa. Data from a cross-sectional population-based study were used.

"Representative random samples approximating 1000 men and 1000 women in each of four cities of Kisumu (Kenya), Ndola (Zambia), Cotonou (Benin), and Yaounde (Cameroon) were interviewed and tested for sexually transmitted infections (STI). Married couples were identified as concordant negative, discordant, or concordant positive for each STI."

"After excluding concordant HIV negative couples," said E.E. Freeman and coauthors, "analysis of behavioral and STI risk factors for HIV positive concordancy was undertaken across the four cities and in each city separately where sample size allowed."

The investigators found that "among 221 couples in which at least one member was HIV positive, we found that the only significant risk factor for positive HIV concordancy was herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) status."

"After adjusting for age and city of residence the odds ratio for HIV concordancy compared to couples with neither spouse HSV-2 positive was 3.4 (95% confidence interval, 0.62-18.4) for couples with one partner HSV-2 positive and 8.6 (95% confidence interval, 1.6-45.0) for couples with both partners HSV-2 positive.

"The same trends were seen in Kisumu and Ndola when they were analyzed separately (numbers were small in the other cities)," Freeman wrote.

The scientists concluded," "Although cross-sectional studies are not ideal for delineating the sequence of transmission events, this study adds to the evidence that HSV-2 is a key risk factor in promoting HIV transmission."

Freeman and colleagues published their study in AIDS (Factors affecting HIV concordancy in married couples in four African cities. AIDS. 2004 Aug 20;18(12):1715-21.

For additional information, contact E.E. Freeman, University London, London School Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT, England.

The publisher's contact information for the journal AIDS is: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA.

The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of HIV/AIDS, HSV-2, Sexually Transmitted Disease, Epidemiology, and Risk Factor.

This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

Reference

Freeman EE, et al., "Factors affecting HIV concordancy in married couples in four African cities", AIDS. 2004 Aug 20;18(12):1715-21.

PubMED Related articles Search

041115
AW041108

Copyright © 2004 - Charles Henderson, Publisher. All rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted to AEGIS by Charles W. Henderson. Authorization to reproduce for personal use granted granted by C. W. Henderson, Publisher, provided that the fee of US$4.50 per copy, per page is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center, 27 Congress Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, USA. Published by Charles Henderson, Publisher. Editorial & Publishing Office: P.O. Box 5528, Atlanta, GA 30307-0528 / Telephone: (800) 633-4931; Subscription Office: P.O. Box 830409, Birmingham, AL 35283-0409 / FAX: (205) 995-1588 http://www.newsrx.net

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright © 1980,2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.