AEGiS-1CROI [24]: Elevated HIV prevalence in female adolescent STD clinic patients

1st National Conference Human Retroviruses and Related Infections

Washington, DC - December 12-16, 1993

ELEVATED HIV PREVALENCE IN FEMALE ADOLESCENT STD CLINIC PATIENTS

Natl Conf Hum Retrovir Relat Infect 1993 Dec 12-16;1: (abstract no. 24)

Heffernan R, Chiasson MA, Ewing W
New York City Department of Health, New York, NY

OBJECTIVE: To compare HIV prevalence and associated risk behaviors in female and male adolescents at a New York City STD clinic.

METHODS: 4,616 patient volunteers at an STD clinic were interviewed and examined for STD. Adolescents = those ≤21 years of age.

RESULTS: 848 (18%) of patients were ≤21. Major characteristics were as follows:

Characteristic	Females % (N=381)	Males % (N=467)	OR	P

HIV+	5.8	1.7	3.5	0.001
History of syphilis, chancroid or herpes	15.8	7.2	2.4	<0.001
Injection drug use (IDU)	1.8	0.4	4.4	0.05
Crack Use	8.7	3.0	3.1	<0.001
Ever traded sex for pay	8.9	4.9	1.9	0.02
IDU sex partner	8.1	3.4	2.5	<0.003
HIV+ partner	3.4	0	-	<0.001
Median sex partners	4	15		<0.001

Although HIV prevalence was higher in females, in multiple logistic regression analysis gender and having an IDU partner were not significant predictors of HIV, while trading sex, IDU, crack use, having an HIV+ sex partner and history of syphilis, chancroid or herpes were significant predictors of HIV.

CONCLUSIONS: HIV prevalence among adolescents in this clinic population is high, particularly among females, who face increased risk associated with drug use, trading sex, having an HIV+ sex partner and history of lesion STD.

Keywords: AIDS Vaccines, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Ambulatory Care Facilities, Chancroid, Crack Cocaine, Female, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Humans, Male, New York City, Prevalence, Risk-Taking, Sexual Partners, Substance-Related Disorders, Syphilis, epidemiology

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1993-12-12
24