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Abstract
Prior studies find that gay men and lesbians volunteer in HIV/AIDS service
organizations at high rates. However, no population-based study has
investigated the mechanisms involved. Using data from the General Social
Survey, a nationally representative biennial survey that in 2002 and 2004
interviewed 2031 sexually experienced adults, the authors examine levels
of empathic concern, altruistic values, and the past year occurrence of
altruistic and reciprocal behaviors among homosexually and exclusively
heterosexually experienced adults. Overall, women reported higher levels
of empathic concern and stronger altruistic values relative to men while
men reported engaging in a wider variety of altruistic behaviors than did
women. In gender-specific comparisons, homosexually experienced men
reported stronger altruistic values than did exclusively heterosexual men
but levels of empathic concern and the range of altruistic and reciprocal
behaviors engaged in did not vary appreciable. Among women, homosexually
experienced women reported engaging in a wider range of altruistic
behaviors than exclusively heterosexual women, but did not differ in their
levels of empathic concern or strength of altruistic values. Findings
support the existence of some small sexual orientation-related differences
in altruistic values and altruistic and reciprocal behaviors. These have
implications for HIV-related volunteerism. One surprising finding in this
study was that approximately 17% of homosexually experienced men had
donated blood in the year prior to interview despite the prohibition
against doing so.
Publication Type
Journal Article.

Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine sexual behaviour, condom use and
rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among attendees at a
dedicated on-site STI clinic at a South London HIV centre. Data were
prospectively collected by using a nurse-completed questionnaire.
Ninety-eight percent of women reported one or no sexual partners in the
preceding three months, whereas 57% of men who have sex with men (MSM)
reported two or more partners. Only 28% of women, 53% of heterosexual men
and 29% of MSM always used a condom for vaginal or anal intercourse.
Positive STI diagnoses were found in 17.5% of women, 20% of heterosexual
men and 49% of MSM. Twenty percent of patients who reported always using a
condom and 38% of MSM reporting no sexual activity in the preceding three
months had an STI. These results highlight the need for safe sex promotion
and STI screening in HIV-infected patients regardless of self-reported
sexual activity.
Publication Type
Journal Article.

Abstract
This article examines factors responsible for the stark racial disparities
in HIV infection in the U.S. and the now concentrated epidemic among
African Americans. Sexual network patterns characterized by concurrency
and mixing among different subpopulations, together with high rates of
other sexually transmitted infections, facilitate dissemination of HIV
among African Americans. The social and economic environment in which many
African Americans live shapes sexual network patterns and increases
personal infection risk almost independently of personal behavior. The
African-American HIV epidemic constitutes a national crisis whose
successful resolution will require modifying the social and economic
systems, structures, and processes that facilitate HIV transmission in
this population.
Publication Type
Journal Article.  Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural.

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Recent evidence suggests that it is important to consider
behavioral specific sexual violence measures in assessing women’s risk
behaviors. This study investigated associations of history and types of
sexual coercion on HIV risk behaviors in a nationally representative
sample of heterosexually active American women. METHODS: Analyses were
based on 5857 women aged 18-44 participating in the 2002 National Survey
of Family Growth. Types of lifetime sexual coercion included: victim given
alcohol or drugs, verbally pressured, threatened with physical injury, and
physically injured. Associations with HIV risk behaviors were assessed
using logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 5857 heterosexually active women,
16.4% reported multiple sex partners and 15.3% reported substance abuse. A
coerced first sexual intercourse experience and coerced sex after sexual
debut were independently associated with multiple sex partners and
substance abuse; the highest risk was observed for women reporting a
coerced first sexual intercourse experience. Among types of sexual
coercion, alcohol or drug use at coerced sex was independently associated
with multiple sex partners and substance abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings
suggest that public health strategies are needed to address the violent
components of heterosexual relationships. Future research should utilize
longitudinal and qualitative research to characterize the relationship
between continuums of sexual coercion and HIV risk.
Publication Type
Journal Article.  Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural.  Research Support,
U.S. Gov’t, Non-P.H.S..  Research Support, U.S. Gov’t, P.H.S..

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of an HIV counseling and testing program
targeting steady heterosexual serodiscordant couples. METHODS: We studied
564 couples who attended a sexually transmitted infections/HIV clinic in
Madrid in the period 1989 to 2007 and participated in couples counseling
and testing. Sociodemographic, epidemiologic, clinical, and behavioral
information of both partners was obtained before testing the nonindex
partner. Sexual practices reported in the first (preintervention) and
second visit were compared, as well those reported in 4 additional visits.
RESULTS: Among the 399 couples who returned for a second visit (71%), the
median number of sexual risk practices in the previous 6 months decreased
(26.9-0; P <0.001) and the percentage of couples who had not engaged in
sexual risk behavior increased (46.1-66.7; P <0.001). This reduction was
maintained by the 143 couples who had 4 return visits. The diagnosis of
HIV-infection in the index case previous to entering the program was
associated with a lower frequency of sexual risk behavior. Independent
predictors of postintervention risky sexual behavior included
preintervention sexual risk behavior (odds ratio [OR]: 2.8, 95% confidence
interval: 1.7-4.4), index case aged over 35 (OR: 2.0, 1.2-3.3), and a
recent pregnancy (OR: 3.1, 1.6-6.3). The incidence of HIV seroconversion
was 3.9 per 1000 couple-years (1.4-9.7). CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of
HIV-infection and counseling appears to provide complementary reductions
in sexual risk behaviors among serodiscordant steady heterosexual couples
at follow-up, but the risk of transmission was not totally eliminated.
Publication Type
Journal Article.  Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t.

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Issue No. 4  | January 29, 2010 View HTML version AIDSinfo.nih.gov is pleased to provide you with a weekly update of highlights about what has happened in the world of HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and research. We hope you find this encapsulated view of HIV/AIDS news useful. FDA Advises Serious Liver Disorder Associated with the Use of Videx/Videx EC (Didanosine) “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting healthcare professionals and patients about a rare, but serious, complication in the liver known as non-cirrhotic portal hypertension in patients using Videx or Videx EC (didanosine). Didanosine is a medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Videx was the first approved didanosine medication. Videx EC is a delayed-release version of Videx. “Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (portal hypertension that is not caused by cirrhosis of the liver) is rare in the United States. It occurs when blood flow in the major vein in the liver (the portal vein) slows down. This slowed blood flow can lead to the development of severely enlarged esophageal veins (varices) in the gastrointestinal system. Because esophageal varices are thin and portal hypertension increases the pressure of blood flow in these veins, esophageal varices can break open. This can result in serious bleeding and, in some cases, death. “FDA became aware of cases of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension through adverse event reports submitted to FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS). Based on these reports, FDA has revised the didanosine drug label to include information about non-cirrhotic portal hypertension to help ensure the safe use of this drug. “FDA believes the clinical benefits of didanosine for certain patients with HIV continue to outweigh its potential risks. The decision to use this drug, however, must be made on an individual basis between the treating physician and the patient.” Additional safety information regarding Videx/Videx EC (didanosine) can be found in the FDA press release. Study Suggests HIV Infection and Aging Independently Affect Brain Function “We investigated the interactions between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and aging and their effects on brain function demands by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A multiple-regression model was used to study the association and interaction between fMRI measures, HIV serostatus, and age for 26 HIV-infected subjects and 25 seronegative subjects. Although HIV serostatus and age independently affected fMRI measures, no interaction occurred. Functional brain demands in HIV-positive subjects were equivalent to those of HIV-negative subjects who were 15-20 years older. Frailty parallels between HIV infection and aging could result from continued immunological challenges depleting resources and triggering increased metabolic demands. In the future, fMRI could be a noninvasive biomarker to assess HIV infection in the brain.” More information is available: PubMed: Study abstract MedlinePlus: News article			New HIV/AIDS trials have been added to ClinicalTrials.gov in the last 30 days. For a list of trials click here. Please send comments or suggestions to ContactUs@aidsinfo.nih.gov here Click on the Live Help button on the AIDSinfo home page and communicate with the staff in “real time.”   -or- Telephone: 800-448-0440 International Telephone: 1-301-315-2816 TTY/TDD: 888-480-3739 Fax: 1-301-315-2818 E-mail: ContactUs@aidsinfo.nih.gov
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Kalichman, S C.  Simbayi, L C.  Cain, D.  Jooste, S.
Institution
  University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. seth.k@uconn.edu
Title
  Heterosexual anal intercourse among community and clinical settings in
  Cape Town, South Africa.
Comments
  Comment in: Sex Transm Infect. 2009 Oct;85(6):408-10; PMID: 19826062]
Source
  Sexually Transmitted Infections.  85(6):411-5, 2009 Oct.

Abstract
  BACKGROUND: Anal intercourse is an efficient mode of HIV transmission and
  may play a role in the heterosexual HIV epidemics of southern Africa.
  However, little information is available on the anal sex practices of
  heterosexual individuals in South Africa. PURPOSE: To examine the
  occurrence of anal intercourse in samples drawn from community and clinic
  settings. METHODS: Anonymous surveys collected from convenience samples of
  2593 men and 1818 women in two townships and one large city sexually
  transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Cape Town. Measures included
  demographics, HIV risk history, substance use and 3-month retrospective
  sexual behaviour. RESULTS: A total of 14% (n = 360) men and 10% (n = 172)
  women reported engaging in anal intercourse in the past 3 months. Men used
  condoms during 67% and women 50% of anal intercourse occasions. Anal
  intercourse was associated with younger age, being unmarried, having a
  history of STI, exchanging sex, using substances, having been tested for
  HIV and testing HIV positive. CONCLUSIONS: Anal intercourse is reported
  relatively less frequently than unprotected vaginal intercourse among
  heterosexual individuals. The low prevalence of anal intercourse among
  heterosexual individuals may be offset by its greater efficiency for
  transmitting HIV. Anal sex should be discussed in heterosexual HIV
  prevention programming.
Publication Type
  Journal Article.  Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural.