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Background: The objective was to determine the acceptability and use patterns of potential microbicides among African American (AA), acculturated Hispanic (AH), and less acculturated Hispanic (LAH) women. We measured baseline sexual risk-taking and the likelihood of behavioral change, given effective microbicides. Methods: Interview of 506 Mexican-American and AA women, all of whom have a sexually transmitted infection enrolled in Project Sexual Awareness for Everyone. Results: The 3 groups reported similarly high acceptance of potential microbicides (76%-83% P = 0.24). LAHs were most likely to report they would use microbicides covertly (P = 0.03). Given the possibility of effective microbicides, AHs were consistently more likely to report risk disinhibition. AHs, as compared to LAHs and AAs, respectively, were most likely to report that they would not use condoms, (53% vs. 33% vs. 30% P

Sexually transmitted disease (STD), including AIDS, disproportionately affects African-American and Hispanic women.To evaluate efficacy of standard and enhanced (addition of optional support groups) gender- and culture-specific, small-group behavioral interventions, compared to interactive STD counseling, in high risk minority women for two years.Women with a non-viral STD were treated and enrolled in a randomized trial. Follow-up screens and interviews occurred at 6 months, 1 year, 18 months (short interview, optional exam) and 2 years. The primary outcome was subsequent infection with chlamydia and/or gonorrhea. Secondary outcomes included risky sexual behaviors. We employed logistic regression based on intention-to-treat.Data from 775 women were included; the retention rate was 91%. Adjusted infection rates were higher in the controls in Year 1 (26.8%), Year 2 (23.1%), and cumulatively (39.8%) than in the enhanced (15.4%, P = 0.004; 14.8%, P0.03; 23.7%, P0.001, respectively) and standard (15.7%, P = 0.006; 14.7%, P = 0.03; 26.2%, P0.008, respectively) intervention arms at these time points. Enhanced-intervention women who opted to attend support groups (attendees) had the lowest adjusted infection rates in Year 1 (12.0%) and cumulatively (21.8%). Intervention women in general, but particularly attendees, were significantly less likely than controls to have repeat infections. Multiple partners and unprotected sex with an untreated or incompletely treated partner helped explain group differences in infection.Risk-reduction interventions significantly decreased both single and multiple infective episodes with chlamydia and/or gonorrhea and risky sexual behaviors in the two-year study period. Support-group attendance appeared to contribute additional risk reduction in Year 1.

To determine factors associated with partner notification (PN) of sexually transmitted infection (STI) exposure among low-income Mexican American and African American women and their male sexual partners.To identify women most likely to notify their partners about an STI exposure.Cross-sectional analysis of 775 women with a nonviral STI. The primary outcome, PN, is notification of, or intent to notify male sexual partner(s) of STI exposure. A comprehensive intake interview was used to obtain sociodemographic, psychosocial, communication, and relationship information for the patients and each male sexual partner. Chi square analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine factors independently associated with PN.The 775 women identified 1122 male sexual partners. Of women with 1, 2, and 3 or more partners, 87.9%, 41.4%, and 25.0% reported PN for all partners respectively. Logistic regression demonstrated that 5 variables independently predicted PN: a "steady" relationship (OR: 5.25; CI: 2.82-4.91), 1 partner (OR: 2.10; CI: 1.71-2.56), recent intercourse (OR: 1.37; CI: 1.21-1.54), anticipated ongoing sexual activity (OR: 1.48; CI: 1.04-2.10), and/or desire for pregnancy with that partner (OR: 1.68; CI: 1.10-2.58). Patient and partner sociodemographic variables were not significantly associated with PN. Responses to specific relationship and communication variables, although significant, did not remain independent in the final logistic regression model.Among low-income Mexican American and African American women, the perception that a relationship with individual partner(s) was committed was predictive of PN.

Project SAFE, a gender- and culture-specific cognitive-behavioral intervention, was one of the few interventions to have demonstrated a significant reduction in sexually transmitted infections in a randomized, controlled trial.We evaluated intervention efficacy in 379 Mexican Americans and 170 African Americans; and in a subset of 477 women, explored ethnic differences in the relationships over time between attitudes/beliefs about relationships, reported sexual behavior, and infection.Women were questioned intensively at baseline, 6, and 12 months. We used stratified analyses and multivariate regression to evaluate ethnic differences and the role of behavior in explaining ethnic differences in infection.African Americans had higher overall infection rates (29.0% vs. 18.3%) than Mexican Americans, but the intervention efficacy was similar (odds ratios, 0.58 and 0.54, respectively). African Americans reported more douching after sex, less mutual monogamy, and more rapid partner turnover. However, Mexican Americans appeared slightly more likely to have sex with an untreated partner, and there was no difference in risky sex. African Americans reported greater difficulty finding partners and reported attitudes more compatible with nonmonogamy.Despite substantial ethnic differences in attitudes/beliefs, behaviors, and infection rates, the intervention had a comparable impact on both Mexican American and African American.

Evaluations of STD/HIV interventions incorporating behavioral and biologic outcomes have not reported strong correspondence.The goal of the study was to demonstrate that behaviors, measured comprehensively, are associated with infection and to delineate the behaviors responsible for reduced infection rates in Project SAFE (Sexual Awareness For Everyone).Follow-up data from an intervention trial were analyzed to determine: (1) study versus control differences in complex risk behaviors and (2) the overall relationship between these behaviors and infection status (chlamydia and/or gonorrhea), with use of multiple logistic regression.Lower infection rates among 249 women who received intervention (compared with 228 controls) were explained by reduced-risk status in 5 modifiable behaviors. The 0 to 12-month logistic regression model (including sex with untreated partner [OR = 5.6], lack of mutual monogamy [OR = 2.4], unsafe sex [OR = 1.9], rapid partner turnover [OR = 2.7], and douching after sex [OR = 1.9]) correctly predicted infection status for 75.3% of participants (71.8% of infected, 76.2% of uninfected). Women in nonmutually monogamous unions who had sex with partners who were untreated or incompletely treated were 13 times more likely to be infected than those who were monogamous and avoided sex with an untreated/incompletely treated partner.This intervention reduced infection rates by maintaining low-risk behaviors and changing high-risk behaviors. We elucidated the complex relationship between behavior and infection by incorporating context into variable conceptualization and considering several behaviors simultaneously.