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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts WePeD6381-WePeD6384 179

intervention programs with Latina women and adolescents to address early histories of child abuse and early sexual behaviors, as well as the unique acculturation
and demographic influences.
Presenting author: Jennifer Carmona, UCLA, NPI, Dept. of Biobehavioral Sciences, 760 Westwood Plaza, #C9-539, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, United
States, Tel.: +[phone], Fax: +[phone], E-mail: jcarmona@mednet.
ucla.edu
WePeD6381 I Risk factors for HIV infection in Thai women after
a successful national HIV control program
T. Ruengkris1, S. Asavapiriyanont1, S. Sethavanich2, A. Limtrakul2, A. Komin1,
C. Puapairoj3, S. Peerapooti4, C.S. Morrison5, D.D. Celentano6. 1Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital, Research Institute for Health
Sciences, PO Box 80, CMU, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50202,
Thailand; 2Health Promotion Center, Region 10, Chiang Mai, Thailand;
3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen,
Thailand; 4Hat Yai Hospital, Songkla, Thailand; 5Family Health International,
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States; 'Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore, MD, United States
Background: The heterosexual HIV/AIDS epidemic has been controlled but not
eliminated in Thailand. To understand the dynamics of HIV epidemics in low
prevalence settings, we estimated risk factors for HIV infection in Thai women
in 1999-2000.
Methods: Women were screened, interviewed and tested for HIV in the NIH study
"Hormonal Contraception and the Risk of HIV Acquisition" at 7 sites in 4 regions of
Thailand. We estimated risk factors for HIV prevalence using uni- and multivariate
methods.
Results: Among 1113 women, univariate risks for HIV infection were: polygamous marriage (OR=4.9, 95%CI=1.9, 12.4); separated, divorced or widowed
(OR=4.3, 9.5% Cl=1.9, 9.9); being a general laborer (OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.1, 4.7);
partner occupation as general laborer (OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.2, 5.2); lifetime multiple sexual partners (OR=7.5, 95% CI=3.1, 17.7); and not currently living with
partners (OR=4.8, 9.5% Cl = 2.0, 11.9). Female occupation was used in multivariate modeling. Factors statistically significant in multiple logistic regression
analysis included: polygamous marriage (OR=2.9, 95% CI=1.1, 7.8); general laborer (OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.1, 5.3); and lifetime multiple sexual partners (OR=5.9,
9.5% CI=2.3, 15.2).
Conclusion: Women with low socioeconomic or who share sex partners with
other women still have higher risk of acquiring HIV infection in Thailand.
Presenting author: Sungwal Rugpao, Research Institute for Health Sciences,
PO Box 80, CMU, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50202, Thailand, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeD6382 The relationship between sexual health and
unsafe sex among participants of an intervention
study targeting African American women
W. Bocktinq, B. Robinson, M. Miner, K. Scheltema. Program in Human Sexuality,
University of Minnesota, Program in Human Sexuality 1300 South Second
Street, Suite 180, Minneapolis, MN 55454, United States
Background: Funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, this study examined the association between several components of the Sexual Health Model and
unsafe sex among participants in an intervention study targeting African American women.
Methods: 306 Women completed pre-intervention interviews. Because unsafe
sex for the purposes of this study was defined as the frequency of unprotected
vaginal or anal intercourse in the past 3 months, only women who reported sex
with males during that time period (N=206) were included in the study. We used
regression with backward elimination (p<.10) to test hypothesized associations
between 16 sexual health variables and unsafe sex.
Results: Together, 6 sexual health variables explained 27% of the variance.
(p<.001). Trying to get pregnant (1=.82), sexual assertiveness (1t=.48), and positive attitudes toward the female condom (1t=.34), were positively associated with
unsafe sex. Positive attitudes toward condom use (15=.84), safer sex self-efficacy
(it=.48), and a lack of control over sex (1=.31), were negatively associated with
unsafe sex. The remaining 10 variables, including a history of sexual or physical
abuse, were eliminated.
Conclusion: These findings support our hypothesis that women with more positive attitudes toward condom use and higher safer sex self-efficacy had less unsafe sex. Contrary to our expectations, women who were more sexually assertive,
had more control over sex, and had more positive attitudes toward the female
condom, reported more unsafe sex. The implication for the Sexual Health Model
is that women who are more emancipated sexually are not necessarily less at
risk for HIV. Finally, the desire for pregnancy should be taken into account in HIV
prevention targeting women at risk.

Presenting author: Walter Bockting, Program in Human Sexuality, 1300 South
Second Street, Suite 180, Minneapolis, MN 55454, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]

WePeD6383 HIV isn't that threatening, pregnancy is! A
qualitative study of young adults' sexual risk
behaviour in Indonesia
S. Simon', S. Paxton2. IPsychology Faculty, Widya Mandala Catholic University,
J1. Babatan Pratama XXVII, Blok 00/No. 52-54, Surabaya 60228, Jawa Timur,
Indonesia; 2Psychology Department, University of Melbourne, Melbourne,
Australia
Background: Most research shows that there is an increase in the frequency of
Indonesian young people who are now engaging in sex before marriage. The extent of condom use in young adults is not well known but can be assumed to be
very low as reflected in the pregnancy and abortion data.
In order to better inform future prevention strategies, the aim of this research was
to explore attitudes, beliefs, and practices in relation to sexual relationship and
safe sex of Indonesian young adults within their own cultural framework.
Methods: A focus group strategy was employed in order to qualitatively identify
the range of views present in the community. The focus groups were selected to
vary by sex and ethnic groups. 176 students from seven different universities in
Surabaya agreed to participate.
The research data was analysed using thematic content analysis. All data was
classified against ethnicity, sex and eleven different themes (namely: opinion of
sex before marriage, reasons for engaging in sex before marriage, reasons for
abstinence, the meaning of sexual relationship, type of first partner, perceived
risk of STI/HIV and meaning of safe sex, strategy of safe sex and the practice of
non-intercourse relationship, condom provider, factors that encourage or discourage condom use, influence of religion, the relationship between alcohol/drugs and
sexual relationship).
Results: This study found that there is a shifting opinion regarding the acceptability of sexual relationship before marriage It was also found that they believe many
of their friends are sexually active. Curiosity and sexual desire/arousal, followed
by love are among the reasons for engaging in sexual relationship. Qualitatively,
knowledge of STIs is good but many of young men are continue to believe in their
magical thinking.
Conclusions: Safe sex message in general is understood by young people, but
the majority opt pregnancy issue as their real issue.
Presenting author: Simon Simon, JI. Babatan Pratama XXVIII, Blok 0O/No. 52 -54, Surabaya 60228, Jawa Timur, Indonesia, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +62 31
7521182, E-mail: [email protected]
BWePeD6384 Differences in the assessments on HIV
h i transmission risks in clinical situations by health
care students from Germany, Lithuania and Spain
J. Klewer, J. Kugler1, L. Sasnauskaite2, A. Pavilonis2, F Guillen-Grima 3,
I. Aguinaga-Ontoso 3. Public Health, Dresden Medical School, Public Health,
Dresden Medial School, IMIB-Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; 2Dept.
of Microbiology Kaunas Medical University Kaunas, Lithuania; 3Dept, of Health
Sciences, Public University of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain
Background: To prevent occupational HIV infections in health professionals,
comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS is essential. Due to working close
to infected patients, especially medical staff is endangered.
Therefore, the study tried to investigate how health care students from European countries with different HIV prevalences assess the risk of occupational
HIV-infections.
Methods: In a multi-centre-study the assessments by German medical/dental
students (n=182), Lithuanian medical students (n=176) and Spanish nursing students (n=150) on the risk of acquiring HIV in different clinical situations were
analysed by using standardised anonymous questionnaires.
Results: The assessments on the HIV transmission risks differed between the
three samples: In situations like changing dirty linen or arterial puncture the German students saw the highest risk for HIV-transmission. In general, the percentages of Lithuanian stunidents seeinng a risk of HIV-infection were lower than in the
German sample. In situations like getting a blood transfusion and placing an i.v.
drip the Spanish students saw the highest risk for HIV transmission. Nevertheless, in situations like using the same needle for various patients most of the
Lithuanian and several German students underestimated the potential risk of HIV
transmission.
Conclusions: The results indicate, that assessments on the risk of HIV transmission by health care students depend on the national HIV prevalence. However,
most of the students overestimated to potential risk of HIV transmission. Medical
education should consider this and focus more on infection control. This would
improve care for HIV/AIDS patient and reduce infection risks for nursing/medical
staff.
Presenting author: Jbrg Klewer, Public Health, Dresden Medial School, IMIBFetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +49 351
3177 33217, E-mail: [email protected]