3rd Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections


Washington, DC - January 28-February 1, 1996

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PERINATAL TRANSMISSION OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS TYPE 1 AND HETEROSEXUAL BEHAVIOR DURING PREGNANCY.

Conf Retroviruses Opportunistic Infect 1996 Jan 28-Feb 1; 3rd:58 (abstract no. 28)

Matheson P, Thomas PA, Lambert G, Bamji M, Krasinski K, Steketee R, Thea D, Chiasson MA, Abrams EJ
New York City Perinatal HIV Transmission Collaborative, Study Group; MHRA, Worth St, NY, NY.

A retrospective analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between heterosexual activity during pregnancy and perinatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) among 175 New York City HIV-l-seropositive pregnant women enrolled 1986-1994 in a prospective cohort study. Frequency of unprotected heterosexual intercourse during pregnancy was obtained from self-report measures: low frequency was defined as consistent condom use or abstinence; moderate as inconsistent condom use and less than 80 episodes of heterosexual intercourse; high as inconsistent condom use and greater than or equal to 80 episodes. The unadjusted odds ratio for perinatal transmission relative to women with low frequency of unprotected sexual intercourse was 2.9 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.9 -8.9) for women with moderate frequency and 6.4 (95% CI=1.9-21 .3) for women with high frequency. Increased frequency of unprotected episodes of heterosexual intercourse during pregnancy was associated with increased risk of perinatal transmission of HIV-1 even after controlling for maternal injection drug use, CD4 lymphocyte count, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, zidovudine use, pelvic inflammatory disease or sexually transmitted disease during pregnancy, delivery mode, and extreme prematurity. Additional research is needed to determine whether pregnant HIV-l-seropositive women can diminish the likelihood of perinatal HIV- 1 transmission by changing their sexual behavior during pregnancy.

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Copyright © 1996 - Foundation for Retrovirology and Human Health . Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Foundation for Retrovirology and Human Health.