Search

ObjectiveEvaluate the incidence and predictors of HIV acquisition from outside partners in serodiscordant couples.MethodsDemographic, behavioral, and clinical exposures were measured quarterly in a cohort of serodiscordant cohabiting couples in Zambia from 1995 to 2012 (n = 3049). Genetic analysis classified incident infections as those acquired from the study partner (linked) or acquired from an outside partner (unlinked). Factors associated with time to unlinked HIV infection were evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression stratified by sex.ResultsThere were 100 unlinked infections in couples followed for a median of 806 days. Forty-five infections occurred in women [1.85/100 couple-years; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35 to 2.47]. Risk of female unlinked infection (vs. nonseroconverting females) was associated with reporting being drunk weekly/daily vs. moderate/nondrinkers at baseline [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 5.44; 95% CI: 1.03 to 28.73], genital ulcers (aHR = 6.09; 95% CI: 2.72 to 13.64), or genital inflammation (aHR = 11.92; 95% CI: 5.60 to 25.37) during follow-up adjusting for age, years cohabiting, income, contraceptive use, previous pregnancies, history of sexually transmitted infections, and condomless sex with study partner. Fifty-five infections occurred in men (1.82/100 couple-years; 95% CI: 1.37 to 2.37). Risk of male unlinked infection was associated with genital inflammation (aHR = 8.52; 95% CI: 3.82 to 19.03) or genital ulceration (aHR = 2.31; 95% CI: 2.05 to 8.89), reporting ≥1 outside sexual partner (aHR = 3.86; 95% CI: 0.98 to 15.17) during follow-up, and reporting being drunk weekly/daily vs. moderate/nondrinkers at baseline (aHR = 3.84; 95% CI: 1.28 to 11.55), controlling for age, income, circumcision status, and history of sexually transmitted infection.ConclusionsPredictors of unlinked infection in serodiscordant relationships were alcohol use, genital inflammation, and ulceration. Causes of genital inflammation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of semen washing in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-discordant couples in which the male partner is infected. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): Forty single-arm open-label studies among HIV-discordant couples that underwent intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using washed semen. INTERVENTION(S): Semen washing followed by IUI, IVF, or IVF/ICSI. PRIMARY OUTCOME: HIV transmission to HIV-uninfected women; secondary outcomes: HIV transmission to newborns and proportion of couples achieving a clinical pregnancy. RESULT(S): No HIV transmission occurred in 11,585 cycles of assisted reproduction with the use of washed semen among 3,994 women. Among the subset of HIV-infected men without plasma viral suppression at the time of semen washing, no HIV seroconversions occurred among 1,023 women after 2,863 cycles of assisted reproduction with the use of washed semen. Studies that measured HIV transmission to infants reported no cases of vertical transmission. Overall, 56.3% of couples (2,357/4,184) achieved a clinical pregnancy with the use of washed semen. CONCLUSION(S): Semen washing appears to significantly reduce the risk of transmission in HIV-discordant couples desiring children, regardless of viral suppression in the male partner. There are no randomized controlled studies or studies from low-income countries, especially those with a large burden of HIV. Continued development of lower-cost semen washing and assisted reproduction technologies is needed. Integration of semen washing into HIV prevention interventions could help to further reduce the spread of HIV.

Understanding the factors of heterosexual HIV-1 serodiscordant couples that lead to risky behaviors for HIV transmission are essential in controlling the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Predictors of HIV transmission within stable discordant couples and trends in family planning over time, as well as predictors of ART initiation provide important information for future studies and prevention and treatment program development. This dissertation evaluates these aspects of HIV-1 serodiscordant couple transmission in an ART naive 10-year observational cohort in Kigali, Rwanda. The first study evaluated the incident HIV-1 infections and the predictors of HIV-1 transmission in ART na?ve HIV-1 heterosexual serodiscordant couples. Eighty-three partner linked incident HIV-1 infections occurred in the cohort with 37 in women (IR=2.2/100 CY; 95%CI: 1.53.299) and 46 in men (IR=2.49/100 CY; 95%CI: 1.83-3.33). In the adjusted final model of linked HIV infection in females, baseline VL (aHR 2.33; 95%CI: 1.28-4.24), female genital inflammation (cHR 4.77; 95%CI: 1.72-13.21), and having unprotected sex with study partner since last visit (cHR 3.29; 95%CI: 1.27-8.51) were significant predictors. Predictors of linked incident HIV-1 infection in males included baseline VL (aHR 2.14; 95%CI: 1.50-3.07), female genital inflammation (aHR 3.91; 95%CI: 1.71-8.94), any unprotected sex with study partner since previous visit (aHR 3.56; 95%CI: 1.48-8.56), and presence of sperm on a wet prep (aHR 3.35; 95%CI: 0.99-11.36). These findings support the need to include sexual partners in the assessment of risk and target risk reduction strategies.The second study described pregnancy and analyzed predictors of women ever using hormonal contraception (HC) by HIV status. Overall pregnancy incidence rate was 12.7/100 PY (95%CI: 11.3-14.1) while in M-F+ couples it was 13.2/100 PY (95%CI: 11.3-15.3) and 12.1/100 PY (95%CI: 10.2-14.1) in M+F- couples. 34% of HIV positive women, 26% of HIV- women who did

Understanding the factors of heterosexual HIV-1 serodiscordant couples that lead to risky behaviors for HIV transmission are essential in controlling the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Predictors of HIV transmission within stable discordant couples and trends in family planning over time, as well as predictors of ART initiation provide important information for future studies and prevention and treatment program development. This dissertation evaluates these aspects of HIV-1 serodiscordant couple transmission in an ART naive 10-year observational cohort in Kigali, Rwanda. The first study evaluated the incident HIV-1 infections and the predictors of HIV-1 transmission in ART na?ve HIV-1 heterosexual serodiscordant couples. Eighty-three partner linked incident HIV-1 infections occurred in the cohort with 37 in women (IR=2.2/100 CY; 95%CI: 1.53.299) and 46 in men (IR=2.49/100 CY; 95%CI: 1.83-3.33). In the adjusted final model of linked HIV infection in females, baseline VL (aHR 2.33; 95%CI: 1.28-4.24), female genital inflammation (cHR 4.77; 95%CI: 1.72-13.21), and having unprotected sex with study partner since last visit (cHR 3.29; 95%CI: 1.27-8.51) were significant predictors. Predictors of linked incident HIV-1 infection in males included baseline VL (aHR 2.14; 95%CI: 1.50-3.07), female genital inflammation (aHR 3.91; 95%CI: 1.71-8.94), any unprotected sex with study partner since previous visit (aHR 3.56; 95%CI: 1.48-8.56), and presence of sperm on a wet prep (aHR 3.35; 95%CI: 0.99-11.36). These findings support the need to include sexual partners in the assessment of risk and target risk reduction strategies.The second study described pregnancy and analyzed predictors of women ever using hormonal contraception (HC) by HIV status. Overall pregnancy incidence rate was 12.7/100 PY (95%CI: 11.3-14.1) while in M-F+ couples it was 13.2/100 PY (95%CI: 11.3-15.3) and 12.1/100 PY (95%CI: 10.2-14.1) in M+F- couples. 34% of HIV positive women, 26% of HIV- women who did

Couples' ability to adopt a "we" orientation has been associated with optimal health outcomes. This study examined how personal and relational motivations are uniquely associated with unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), protected anal intercourse (PAI), and the absence of sexual activity within HIV-serodiscordant same-sex male couples. HIV-positive men and their HIV-negative partners (N = 116 couples, 232 men) completed questionnaires and HIV-positive men had blood drawn for viral load. Results of a multinomial logistic regression illustrated that sexual satisfaction was positively associated with PAI among HIV-negative partners and negatively associated with PAI among HIV-positive partners. Endorsing a "we" orientation was positively associated with PAI among HIV-positive partners. Findings suggest that HIV-positive partners who espouse a "we" orientation may be willing to forgo their personal interests to protect their HIV-negative partners from HIV transmission. Couples-based interventions are warranted to help strengthen relationship dynamics to enhance the sexual health of serodiscordant couples.

This study reports the prevalence of child (CSA) and adult (ASA) sexual abuse among 535 African American HIV serodiscordant couples from four major United State cities, and its relationship to personal and couple related vulnerabilities and HIV risk factors. As part of a randomized, clinical trial, CSA and ASA histories were obtained through face-to-face interviews. Results indicate that HIV positive women were significantly more likely to report one kind of abuse (32.32%), either before or since age 18 or both (32.6%). HIV-positive men (34.9%) were significantly more likely to report CSA than HIV-negative men (22.0%). Overall, 72% of couples reported that one or both had CSA histories. These findings underscore the heightened emotional vulnerability, and STI and HIV transmission risk taking practices, associated with sexual abuse. Sexual abuse histories among couples should be assessed to better understand how these histories may contribute to couples dynamics and risk-taking practices.

This paper examines the concordance of reported shared sexual behaviors, including condom use, among 535 heterosexual, African American, serodiscordant couples and identifies factors that might predict discordant reports. Percentages of agreement, Kappa and McNemar's statistics and conditional probability indices are used to measure concordance. Logistic regression models identify predictors of couples' discordant sexual reports. Analyses revealed Kappa statistics for reporting anal sex, fellatio and cunnilingus indicated moderate to substantial agreement. The effects of demographics and the couples' relationship contexts on concordance of reported sexual behaviors were found to vary somewhat by gender and type of sexual behavior. Findings showed that concordance of reporting between the couples was consistent for the past 90 and 30 days. Findings from this paper provide new scientific insights into the knowledge base of self-reported couples' data and suggest that these data can be used to evaluate their accuracy and serve as a proxy for validity.

This paper reports baseline behavioral and biological data collected from a cohort of 535 African American HIV serodiscordant couples enrolled in the Eban study across four urban metro areas. Data were collected on (1) the prevalence of risky sexual behaviors that occur within a couple and with concurrent sexual partners, (2) the STD prevalence for each member of the couple and (3) the correlates of STDs in the male partner as well as in the female partner. Presentation of the sociodemographic characterization and HIV risk behavior profiles of African American HIV serodiscordant couples represents an important initial description of a hidden, vulnerable population. Future research should be conducted with diverse samples of African American couples (i.e., younger couples, non-stable couples) to explore other potential correlates of STD prevalence.

Growing evidence suggests that drug and alcohol use are fueling the heterosexual transmission of HIV among African Americans. This study aims to examine the relative contribution of drug and alcohol use of male and female partners to risks of heterosexual transmission of HIV among 535 African American HIV serodiscordant couples (N = 1,070 participants) who participated in an HIV prevention trial. Associations found between use of drugs and alcohol by one or both partners and sexual risk indicators varied by type of substance and whether male or female partner or both partners reported use. The findings suggest multiple ways in which substance use of male and female partners may be contributing to the heterosexual transmission of HIV and other STDs among African Americans and underscore the need for HIV prevention strategies to address dyadic patterns of substance use that lead to sexual risks.

This paper reports baseline behavioral and biological data collected from a cohort of 535 African American HIV serodiscordant couples enrolled in the Eban study across four urban metro areas. Data were collected on (1) the prevalence of risky sexual behaviors that occur within a couple and with concurrent sexual partners, (2) the STD prevalence for each member of the couple and (3) the correlates of STDs in the male partner as well as in the female partner. Presentation of the sociodemographic characterization and HIV risk behavior profiles of African American HIV serodiscordant couples represents an important initial description of a hidden, vulnerable population. Future research should be conducted with diverse samples of African American couples (i.e., younger couples, non-stable couples) to explore other potential correlates of STD prevalence.

This paper examines the concordance of reported shared sexual behaviors, including condom use, among 535 heterosexual, African American, serodiscordant couples and identifies factors that might predict discordant reports. Percentages of agreement, Kappa and McNemar's statistics and conditional probability indices are used to measure concordance. Logistic regression models identify predictors of couples' discordant sexual reports. Analyses revealed Kappa statistics for reporting anal sex, fellatio and cunnilingus indicated moderate to substantial agreement. The effects of demographics and the couples' relationship contexts on concordance of reported sexual behaviors were found to vary somewhat by gender and type of sexual behavior. Findings showed that concordance of reporting between the couples was consistent for the past 90 and 30 days. Findings from this paper provide new scientific insights into the knowledge base of self-reported couples' data and suggest that these data can be used to evaluate their accuracy and serve as a proxy for validity.

Growing evidence suggests that drug and alcohol use are fueling the heterosexual transmission of HIV among African Americans. This study aims to examine the relative contribution of drug and alcohol use of male and female partners to risks of heterosexual transmission of HIV among 535 African American HIV serodiscordant couples (N = 1,070 participants) who participated in an HIV prevention trial. Associations found between use of drugs and alcohol by one or both partners and sexual risk indicators varied by type of substance and whether male or female partner or both partners reported use. The findings suggest multiple ways in which substance use of male and female partners may be contributing to the heterosexual transmission of HIV and other STDs among African Americans and underscore the need for HIV prevention strategies to address dyadic patterns of substance use that lead to sexual risks.

This study reports the prevalence of child (CSA) and adult (ASA) sexual abuse among 535 African American HIV serodiscordant couples from four major United State cities, and its relationship to personal and couple related vulnerabilities and HIV risk factors. As part of a randomized, clinical trial, CSA and ASA histories were obtained through face-to-face interviews. Results indicate that HIV positive women were significantly more likely to report one kind of abuse (32.32%), either before or since age 18 or both (32.6%). HIV-positive men (34.9%) were significantly more likely to report CSA than HIV-negative men (22.0%). Overall, 72% of couples reported that one or both had CSA histories. These findings underscore the heightened emotional vulnerability, and STI and HIV transmission risk taking practices, associated with sexual abuse. Sexual abuse histories among couples should be assessed to better understand how these histories may contribute to couples dynamics and risk-taking practices.