TESTING FOR HIV AND OTHER SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES - IMPLICATIONS FOR RISK BEHAVIOR IN WOMEN

A sample of 808 nonpregnant women residing in an area of high prevalen ce of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) was studied with respect to sexual risk behaviors in the 4-month period before and after testing for a series of STDs. All women were tested for both Chlamydia trachom atis and Trichomonas vaginalis and were given the option of also takin g a test for the HIV antibody. Neither the experience of receiving a n egative HIV test result nor that of receiving a positive versus a nega tive diagnosis for STDs resulted in significant mean changes in self-r eports of STD or HIV susceptibility, condom use consistency, or number of sexual partners during the 4 months following testing. However, pe rceived susceptibility was found to predict when women would decrease the consistency with which they used condoms as a function of HIV test ing.