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Sexually transmitted infections in women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Terry Beirn Community
1Department of Medicine, Harlem Hospital, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, USA.
Background And Objectives:
Limited prospective data are available on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among HIV-infected patients. The incidence and predictors of STIs were assessed among HIV-infected women enrolled in a clinical trial.
Study Design:
Prospective cohort of 323 women.
Results:
Sixty-five percent had at least one STI based on history and/or examination at baseline. Most conditions identified at baseline were based on patient history; only 10 of 123 women with no history of an STI (8.1%) had one identified upon examination. During a median follow-up of 2.1 years, 25% developed a new/recurrent STI. Being African-American (odds ratio [OR] = 4.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45-12.26), reporting sex with an intravenous drug user as an HIV risk behavior (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.34-3.92), and a history/presence of STIs at baseline (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.01-3.19) were factors associated with significantly increased risk of STI's.
Conclusions:
A substantial proportion of women developed new STIs during the course of the clinical trial. Prevention efforts should be emphasized among high risk HIV-infected patients.