CONTRACEPTIVE AND SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES PROTECTION AMONG ADULT AND ADOLESCENT WOMEN INFECTED WITH HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS

The goal of this study was to describe contraceptive and sexually tran smitted disease (STD) prevention practices in human immunodeficiency v irus (I-W) infected adult and adolescent women, and to determine if ho rmonal contraception has unique adverse effects in this population. A retrospective review of 241 HIV-infected women age 15-45 years was per formed. The associations between contraceptive methods and selected ch aracteristics were determined by chi-square methods and logistic regre ssion modelling. African American race (RR 8.6, 95% CI3.3, 22.5), inje ction drug use history (RR 5.0, 95% CI2.2, 11.2), age <25 years (RR 1. 9, 95% CI 1.1, 3.5) and progestin only contraceptive use (RR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4, 6.6) were significantly associated with incident STDs. The onl y potential adverse effect of hormonal contraception noted in this ret rospective study was the significant association between STDs and prog estin-only contraception. Prospective studies to better delineate the true association between STDs and progestin-only agents after adjustme nt for behaviour patterns are warranted.