Limited evidence of HCV transmission in stable heterosexual couples from Bahia, Brazil

HCV infected patients frequently ask their physician about the risk of transmission to their partners. Although it is easy to answer that the risk does exist, it is difficult to quantify. We studied the transmission of HCV infection in stable heterosexual couples: anti-HCV positive patients in hemodialytic therapy and their partners. Thirty-four couples were tested by third generation ELISA and RIBA. Blood samples of anti-HCV positive patients were evaluated by RT-PCR and detected sequences were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Concordance of infection was observed in only one couple in which both subjects were in dialytic therapy. One other partner had two positive ELISA tests and an indeterminate RIBA, with negative RT-PCR, which may suggest a false positive or a previous resolved infection. Either sexual relations, sharing of personal items and history of parenteral exposure (hemodialysis, blood transfusion) could explain transmission in the only couple with concordant infection. We observed, in accordance with previous reports, that this risk is minimal or negligible in stable heterosexual couples.

Sexual solicitation of Latino male day laborers by other men / Solicitación sexual de hombres jornaleros latinos por otros hombres

OBJECTIVE: To examine the likelihood of Latino day laborers being solicited for sex by other men. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 450 Latino day laborers were recruited in Los Angeles, California, from July to September 2005. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine which day laborers were more likely to be solicited and subsequently to have sex. RESULTS: Thirty-eight percent reported being solicited for sex by another man while seeking work. Those solicited were more likely to live longer in the US, be more educated and screen positive for drug dependence. Of those solicited, 9.4 percent had sex with their solicitors. Those screening positive for drug dependence were more likely to have sex. Most of the day laborers who had anal sex with their solicitors did not always use condoms. CONCLUSIONS: HIV prevention efforts should target drug dependent day laborers, who may place themselves at risk for HIV through sex with male solicitors.

OBJETIVO: Examinar hasta qué punto los jornaleros latinos son solicitados por otros hombres para tener relaciones sexuales. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Cuatrocientos cincuenta jornaleros latinos fueron reclutados en Los Ángeles, California, de julio a septiembre de 2005. Un análisis de regresión logística fue utilizado para determinar cuáles jornaleros tenían más probabilidades de que fueran solicitados y, subsecuentemente, de que tuvieran sexo. RESULTADOS: Treinta y ocho por ciento reportaron que fueron solicitados para sexo por otros hombres mientras buscaban trabajo. Estos hombres que fueron solicitados tenían más probabilidades de haber vivido más tiempo en los Estados Unidos, tener más educación formal y dar resultados positivos en dependencia de drogas. De los solicitados, 9.4 por ciento tuvieron sexo con los solicitadores. Aquellos que dieron resultados positivos para dependencia de drogas tenían más probabilidades de tener sexo. La mayoría de los jornaleros que tuvieron sexo anal con los solicitadores no siempre usaron condón. CONCLUSIONES: Esfuerzos de prevención del VIH deben dirigirse a jornaleros dependientes de drogas quienes pueden estar exponiéndose al riesgo de contraer VIH al tener sexo con solicitadores masculinos.

Epidemiological and oral manifestations of HIV-positive patients in a specialized service in Brazil

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of oral lesions in HIV-positive patients attending the Specialized Service for Infectious-contagious Diseases and Parasitoses of the Health Secretariat of the State of Pará (URE-DIPE/SESPA), in the city of Belém, PA, Brazil. A total of 79 HIV-positive patients (53 males and 26 females) were examined. Clinical and epidemiological evaluations were done by correlating the lesions with gender, race, chronological age, risk behavior and prevailing immune status (CD4+ cells count). Lesion location and the presence of associated factors, such as alcohol use, smoking and denture wearing, were quantified individually for each type of lesion using a diagnostic pattern based on the clinical aspects. Approximately 47% of the patients (n=37) presented some type of oral lesion. Candidiasis (28%) and periodontal disease (28%) were the most common, followed by cervical-facial lymphadenopathy (17.5%). Other lesions observed were hairy leukoplakia, melanin hyperpigmentation, ulcerative stomatitis (aphthous), herpes simplex, frictional keratosis and pyogenic granuloma. This analysis presented some relevance as to the statistical data. Concerning CD4+ cells, most lesions manifested with the reduction of the CD count. There were a larger number of HIV-positive female heterosexual patients. Alcohol and/or smoking were strongly associated with the occurrence of hairy leukoplakia in these patients. Candidiasis and periodontal disease were the most common oro-regional clinical manifestations in the patients.

Mulheres que fazem sexo com mulheres: algumas estimativas para o Brasil / Women who have sex with women: estimates for Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever a proporção de mulheres que fazem sexo com mulheres, com base em três recortes temporais a partir de dados produzidos por um inquérito populacional de abrangência nacional realizado em 1998. A proporção de mulheres que relatam relações sexuais com mulheres na vida diminui de 3 por cento para 1,7 por cento nos cinco anos anteriores à pesquisa, mantendo-se praticamente no mesmo patamar, 1,7 por cento, no último ano. Ao comparar esses dados com os disponíveis para os homens, os resultados sugerem que homens e mulheres transitam entre experiências homo e heterossexuais de maneiras distintas ao longo da vida.

An overview of HIV/AIDS in Jamaica: strengthening the response

The global HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to grow at an alarming rate. The Caribbean has the second highest HIV prevalence rates after sub-Saharan Africa. In Jamaica, annual AIDS case rates continue to increase, especially in St James. The epidemic is predominantly heterosexual with an estimated HIV prevalence of 1.5 among adults. A comprehensive HIV/STI control programme has resulted in a safe blood supply, high awareness of HIV/AIDS and how to prevent it, increased condom use and a significant decline in syphilis rates. However, a number of social factors, including the strong stigma associated with AIDS, facilitate continued HIV spread and impede effective control. The national response must be significantly strengthened by ensuring appropriate social policies, combating stigma, scaling up prevention, providing antiretroviral treatment and developing a timely multi-sectoral response

A escolha amorosa e interação conjugal na heterossexualidade e na homossexualidade1 / Love-choice and conjugal interaction in heterosexuality and homosexuality

Este estudo tem como objetivo investigar o processo de escolha amorosa em homens emulheres hetero e homossexuais das camadas médias da população, de diferentes faixas etárias,em diversas situações amorosas - namoro, casamento (coabitação estável), separação erecasamento (segunda ou subsequente coabitação estável); as características das relações dosconflitos conjugais por eles estabelecidas; e o papel atribuído à terapia de casal na resoluçãodos conflitos conjugais. Foram estudados dois grupos: 240 heterossexuais (53 solteiros, 64casados, 63 separados e 60 recasados) e 116 homossexuais (49 solteiros, 36 casados, 19separados e 12 recasados). Na avaliação da escolha amorosa foram utilizados 26 atributosdispostos em escalas de avaliação de 5 pontos, tal como proposto por Buss (1989), e entrevistassemi-estruturadas a partir de Féres-Carneiro (1987), contendo tópicos referentes a dimensõesrelevantes da interação conjugal. Os resultados mostraram algumas diferenças entre homens emulheres de ambos os grupos e algumas semelhanças no processo de escolha amorosa dossujeitos hetero e dos sujeitos homossexuais. Tais resultados são relevantes para a prática clínicada terapia de casal, possibilitando uma melhor compreensão das especificidades da relaçãoamorosa em diferentes tipos de conjugalidade...

The aim of the present study was to investigate the process of love-choice in middle classheterosexual and homosexual men and women, in different age groups, in different lovesituations - dating, marriage (stable cohabitation), separation/divorce and remarriage (second orsubsequent stable cohabitation), the characteristics of conjugal relations they established, andthe role attributed to the couple therapy in the resolution of conjugal conflits. Two groups werestudied: 240 heterosexual subjects (53 single, 64 married, 63 separated or divorced, and 60remarried) and 116 homosexuals (49 single, 36 married, 19 separated or divorced, and 12remarried). For the evaluation of the love-choice, 26 attributes were used and displayed over 5points evaluation scales, as proposed by Buss (1989), as well as semi-structured interviews(Féres-Carneiro, 1987), containing topics referring to relevant dimensions of conjugalinteraction. The results have shown some significant differences between men and women ofboth groups and some similarities in the process of love-choice of the hetero and thehomosexual subjects. These results are relevant to the clinical practice of couple therapy,enabling a better comprehension of the specificities of love relationship in different types ofconjugality...