Abstract Book Vol. 2 [International Conference on AIDS (14th: 2002: Barcelona, Spain)]

128 Abstracts WePeC6187-WePeC6190

XIV International AIDS Conference

Conclusions: Benefits of using a BRI approach include that it provides a meaningful method for combining separate sources of risk, which allows more accuracy
and flexibility when analyzing behavioral surveillance data.
Presenting author: Deanna Sykes, Office of AIDS, P.O. Box 942732, Sacramento, CA 94234, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeC6187 Male condom use for HIV/STD prevention in Thai
couples
S. Koonlertkit', W. Chandrawongse1, P. Lumbiganon2, N. Winiyakul3,
S. Phandhu-fung4, S. Yanuntol, O. Krisanapan5, D.D. Celentano6,
C.S. Morrison7. 1'Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai
University Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; 2Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand;
3 Health Promotion Center, Region 6, Khon Kaen, Thailand; 4Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rajvithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand; 5Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Songkla University, Songkla, Thailand;
6Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; 7Family Health
International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States
Background: Few data exist on male condom use in non-commercial sex in Thailand, though many claim that condom use for HIV/ STD prevention among Thai
couples is low. Using the baseline data from the NIH study "Hormonal Contraception and the Risk of HIV Acquisition", we determined the prevalence of condom
use to prevent HIV/ STD for couples across the 4 regions of Thailand, and factors
affecting recent (past 3 month) condom use.
Methods: Women using hormonal contraception, sterilization or natural methods
for at least 3 months were interviewed for recent male condom use, sociodemographic data and sexual behaviors. Commercial sex workers were excluded from
this analysis.
Results: The prevalence of condom use differed by geographic region: North
4.9%, Northeast 7.8%, Central 8.3%, and South 9.6% (overall prevalence, 7.3%).
Statistically significant factors affecting condom use were: type of contraceptive
method used, partners staying overnight away from home, penile ulceration, partners' HIV positive status, partners having multiple sexual partners, and having sex
during menstruation.
Conclusion: The prevalence of condom use to prevent HIV/ STD in Thai couples was low. However, the use of condoms is higher among those risky sexual
behaviors or signs of HIV/STD.
Presenting author: Sompong Koonlertkit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200,
Thailand, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected].
cmu.ac.th
WePeC6188I Sexual behaviors among Thai female
non-commercial sex workers
W. Sinchai1, K. Roibang1, B. Sirirojn2, S. Sriplienchan3, R. Huansuriya4,
K. Buranapanitkit5, S. Rugpao6, D.D. Celentano3, C.S. Morrison7. 1Health
Promotion Center, Region 6, Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai
University, PO Box 80, CMU, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50202,
Thailand; 2Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University,
Chiang Mai, Thailand; 3Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States;
4Health Promotion Center, Region 10, Chiang Mal, Thailand; 5Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hat Yai Hospital, Songkla, Thailand; 6Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang
Mai, Thailand; 'Family Health International, Research Triangle Park, North
Carolina, United States
Background: The major mode of HIV transmission in Thailand is heterosexual,
where women not engaging in sex work acquire HIV infection from their husbands. The HIV epidemic differs among the four regions (North, Northeast, South
and Central). We used baseline data from the Hormonal Contraception and the
Risk of HIV Acquisition (HC-HIV) Study to 1) determine the pattern and prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviors in Thai non-sex workers by regions and 2)
determine factors affecting high risk behaviors.
Method: 1398 sexually active women not engaged in sex work were interviewed
for sexual behaviors during the last 12 and 3 months.
Results: Over 90% of women reported only 1 sexual partner. The median (range)
frequency of intercourse per month was 5 (1-30), high in the Central and low in
the South. Oral and anal sex was more often in the Central than other regions.
Only 13.8% of women had used male condoms. Sexual risks varied significantly
by region, including women's factors: oral or anal sex, sex combined with alcohol or drugs, multiple sexual partners and STD symptoms: and partner's factors:
spending overnight away from home, genital ulcers, and sex with other women.
Central region women reported more sexual risks than elsewhere. Multiple lo
gistic regression analysis for risky sexual behaviors included geographic region,
partner occupation and type of contraceptive use.
Conclusion: Sexual behaviors and the prevalence of high risk sexual behaviors
were different across the 4 geographic regions of Thailand.
Presenting author: Sungwal Rugpao, Research Institute for Health Sciences,
Chiang Mai University, PO Box 80, CMU, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai,

50202, Thailand, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: surugpao
@mail.med.cmu.ac.th
WePeC6189I Sexual behaviour, knowledge and prevalence of
sexually transmitted infections in a suburban
community in Kenya
M.RP. Hawken1, R.D.J. Melis2, D.T. Ngombo2, K. Mandaliya2, L.W. Nganga3,
J. Price4, G. Dallabetta4, M. Temmerman5. 1International Centre For
Reproductive Health (ICRH), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium, Box 91109,
Mombasa, 80103, Kenya; 2International Centre For Reproductive Health (ICRH),
Ghent University, Mombasa, Kenya; 3Centre For Respiratory Diseases
Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya; 4Family
Health International (FHI), Arlington, United States; 5international Centre For
Reproductive Health (ICRH), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Background: The HIV epidemic continues to spread and Sub-Saharan Africa
bears the greatest burden of disease. HIV rates in Kenya are some of the highest
in the region. STIs are a major facilitating factor.
Setting: Mombasa, Kenya.
Objectives: To provide baseline data for STI/ HIV prevention interventions by
studying sexual behaviour and knowledge of HIV/ STI and measuring gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV-1 prevalence.
Design: Cross-sectional survey from randomly selected households
Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 1496 adults between 15 and 49
years living in a low to middle class suburb. Urine and blood were taken to estimate gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV-1 prevalence.
Results: Sexual activity in the last year was limited to 1 partner in all age groups
for most men (68%) and women (88%). More men than women reported 2 or
more partners in the last year (23% vs. 5%). Almost half of those in the 15 to 19
year age group, (49% of boys and 44% of girls) were sexually active. Condom
use was low with all partners and more so for women than men. Reported STI
were high for both men and women. Knowledge of STI and HIV was present but
incomplete. HIV prevalence was 10.8% with higher rates in women (13.7%) than
men (8.0%). This disparity was highest in the 20-29 year old group. HIV prevalence in the 15-19 year age group was 3.2%. Female gender, Protestant religion,
Catholic religion and divorced, separated and widowed status were significantly
associated with HIV prevalence. STI prevalence was 0.9%, 1.5% and 1.3% for
gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis respectively.
Conclusions: This emphasises the vulnerability of young adults, in particular
young women. The low use of condoms, incomplete knowledge of HIV and STI,
high number of reported STI and the relatively low HIV-1 prevalence in the 15 -19 year old group, indicates a large need to implement STI/HIV prevention programmes.
Presenting author: Mark Hawken, Box 91109, Mombasa, 80103, Kenya, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeC6190 An assessment of HIV/AIDS risk and protective
factors in Caribbean youth: Application of a
psychosocial risk behavior model
K. Freier', T. Babikian', G.L. Hopkins2, D. Lang3, L. Richardson4,
R. DiClemente3. 1Loma Linda University, 937 N. Louise St. #4, Glendale, CA,
91207, United States; 2Andrews University, Berrien Springs, United States;
3Emory University Atlanta, United States; 4 Turning Point Rehabilitation Center,
Phillipsburg, Netherlands Antilles
Background: The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean with 360,000 cases is
second only to sub-Saharan Africa. Youth are especially at risk since more than
half of all new infections worldwide occur in the 15-24 age range.
Methods: This study utilized a psychosocial model to examine the behavioral
determinants of HIV risk among 369 youth (ages 14-21) in the Caribbean to assess HIV/AIDS prevention knowledge, the prevalence of sexual and drug-related
risk behaviors, and role of theory-based psychosocial variables in predicting risk
behaviors.
Results: Although most students demonstrated high knowledge with respect to
HIV transmission, certain myths prevailed regarding sources of HIV infection. Significant gender differences were observed in the prevalence of health risk behaviors, with males engaging in more drug and alcohol use at a younger age. Males
also reported more sexual activity, greater number of lifetime sexual partners,
and earlier age of first sexual experience. Finally, attitudes and perceived social
norms significantly contributed to intentions to engage in risk behaviors conducive
to the transmission of HIV; a structural equations analysis of the data indicated
that adolescents' attitudes regarding alcohol and drug use alone were significant
predictors of their intentions to engage in these behaviors whereas both attitudes
and subjective norms, specifically that of peers, were significant predictors of intentions to engage in risky sexual behavior.
Conclusions: HIV/AIDS risk is complex and prevalence and knowledge based
research alone is not enough to represent the multiple levels of transmission risk,

specifically in youth whose norms are easily influenced by social networks. These
social and cultural normative influences are more highly correlated with risk behaviors. Understanding the role of these influences is critical to the design and
implementation of effective HIV prevention interventions encouraging risk behavior change in the Caribbean.
Presenting author: Talin Babikian, 937 N. Louise St. #4, Glendale, CA, 91207,