Faculty Collaboration Database

All STDs are not created equal: an analysis of the differential effects of sexual behaviour changes on different STDs. Int J STD AIDS 2003 May;14(5):320-8

Date

06/14/2003

Pubmed ID

12803939

DOI

10.1258/095646203321605521

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0038136937 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   23 Citations

Abstract

The same sexual behaviours that transmit HIV are implicated in the transmission of certain other STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis. Consequently, it is often assumed that preventive methods that are effective against HIV should be equally effective against other STDs. The purpose of this study was to examine this assumption. We applied a mathematical model of HIV/STD transmission to empirical data from a large HIV prevention intervention that stressed sexual behaviour change. We modelled the effects of two behavioural strategies - reducing the number of sex partners and increasing condom use-on the proportionate change in intervention participants' cumulative risk of acquiring HIV or a highly-infectious STD, such as gonorrhoea. The results of this modelling exercise indicate that decreasing the number of partners is a more effective strategy for reducing STD risk than it is for HIV risk. In contrast, condoms are somewhat more effective at reducing the cumulative transmission risk for HIV than for highly infectious STDs. The protection provided by condoms for multiple acts of intercourse critically depends on the infectiousness of the STD. The results of this study suggest caution in extrapolating from one STD to another, or from one behavioural risk reduction strategy to another.

Author List

Pinkerton SD, Layde PM, DiFranceisco W, Chesson HW, NIMH Multisite HIV Prevention Trial Group

Author

Wayne J. DiFranceisco Research Scientist II in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Analysis of Variance
Condoms
Empirical Research
Female
Follow-Up Studies
HIV Infections
Health Education
Humans
Male
Models, Theoretical
Reproducibility of Results
Risk-Taking
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Partners
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States