INCIDENCE OF 3 SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES DURING A SAFER SEX PROMOTION PROGRAM FOR HIV-INFECTED WOMEN

Promotion of safer sex practices typically includes education, skills building, and condom distribution. To evaluate the impact of such prom otions and describe risk factors for sexually transmitted disease (STD ), a retrospective review of 741 sexually active HIV-infected women wa s conducted. The cohort was African-American (82%), at least 22 years of age (81%), acquired HIV through sex (36%), had a CD, count above 20 0/mm(3) (76%), and had a history of substance (alcohol or drug) use (3 8%). Those with incident STD (14.7%) were more likely to be under 22 y ears of age, to have a history of substance use, and to have an STD at entry. Traditional methods of promoting safer sex practices should be enhanced by other options such as regular screening, partner treatmen t, and the use of microbicides and other female-controlled methods.