Coitus, oral-genital sex and anal intercourse.

Current evidence suggests that there is a change of attitude towards more permissive sex among the young and educated people in Thailand compared to other oriental countries. This study aimed to find the frequency of coitus, oral-genital sex and anal intercourse among new female patients who attended the sexual health clinic, Ramathibodi Hospital in 1990. The gynecologist in charge interviewed the patients using a questionnaire. The total number of participants was 408. Coital frequency ranged from < 1 to 7 times per week with 1, 2, 3 as the first three leading rate. There were 107 women (26.2%) and 150 men (36.8%) who had experienced fellatio and cunnilingus, respectively. Only 5.6 per cent had anal intercourse. These findings add more knowledge about the sexual behavior among Thais and that a certain group of people are not strictly conservative in their attitude towards sex and that males are more permissive than females.

Prevalence of positive anti-HIV in pregnant women at Ramathibodi Hospital.

Anti-HIV screening has routinely been done at the antenatal clinic in Ramathibodi Hospital since January 1990. The prevalence of positive anti-HIV during the first and second half of 1990, and the first half of 1991 are 0.056, 0.2, 0.24 per cent respectively. Twenty positive cases are now under counselling. Age range is between 18-35 years. Seventeen cases are from rural areas. Twelve of seventeen cases were from the north-eastern part of Thailand. Fifteen cases (71.4%) had their pregnancies terminated. This study shows that the prevalence of positive anti-HIV is increasing. Vertical transmission has already been known to be one of the most important and serious transmissions to newborns and infants. The data indicated that screening test for anti-HIV in pregnant women, previously regarded as a low risk group, should be reviewed and routinely done.

PIP: In 1990-1991, health workers at the prenatal clinic at Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, screened 12,067 women in the first trimester of pregnancy for antibodies to HIV. Most of the pregnant women were from middle class areas of Bangkok. 21 of the women tested positive for HIV (0.2%). All HIV-positive women and their husbands underwent counseling. HIV prevalence between January and June 1990 was 0.056% and rose 3-fold by July-December 1990 (0.2%) and 4-fold by January-June 1991 (in reference to 1 year earlier, 0.244%). The highest number of cases/month occurred in December 1990. 85% of the HIV-positive women were 20-30 years old, but the age range was from 18-35 years. 95% were second gravida. 38% were housewives. 81% (17) were from rural areas. 90% were married. 66% of husbands of these HIV-positive women also tested positive for HIV. 71% of the HIV-positive women opted for termination of pregnancy (menstrual regulation in 57% and hypertonic saline solution in 14%). These findings motivated the hospital physicians to recommend obligatory HIV screening of all pregnant women to manage the HIV-positive cases and to prevent HIV from spreading to their offspring.

Comparative effects of combined oral contraceptives containing desogestrel or levonorgestrel on serum lipids, lipoproteins and sex hormone binding globulin in healthy women.

PIP: The use of oral contraceptives has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in past studies and research. One method of detecting such a risk is by monitoring changes in serum lipid profiles. Progestogens, particularly those containing 19-nortestosterone, are linked to an increase in LDL-C and a decrease in HDL-C; these changes increase the risk of atherogenesis. However, estrogens have a diametric effect. Therefore, it would seem that the best OC would decrease LDL-C and increase HDL-C. Previous studies on the effects of OCs on serum lipids differ considerably. In this study, 2 types of combined oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol plus desogestrel or levonorgestrel were tested for their effects on lipid metabolism and sex hormone binding globulin. Ethinylestradiol plus desogestrel showed more favorable results on serum lipoproteins and levonorgestrel, and so it would appear that the former preparation would be more suitable for contraceptive use especially among women with androgenic symptoms.^ieng