Posts
The current study's goal was to determine the association between unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and STDs among heterosexual women. Women from high-risk areas of New York City were recruited from 2006 through 2007 through respondent-driven sampling as part of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance study. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between UAI and HIV infection and previous-year STD diagnosis.
A total of 436 women were included in the study. Of these, 38 percent reported UAI in the past year. UAI was more common among participants who were ages 30-39, homeless, frequent drug or binge alcohol users, had an incarcerated sex partner, had sex partners with whom they exchanged sex for money or drugs, or had six or more sex partners in the past year. Logistic regression found women who had UAI were 2.6 times as likely as women who only had unprotected vaginal intercourse and 4.2 times as likely who had neither UAI nor unprotected vaginal sex to report STD diagnosis. No significant association between UAI and HIV infection was found.
"Increased screening for history of [UAI] and, for those who report recent [UAI], counseling and testing for HIV and STDs would likely reduce STD infections," the authors concluded.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
