Document 0759
 DOCN  M9480759
 TI    Seroprevalence, risk factors and attitude to HIV-1 in a representative
       sample of lesbians in Turin.
 DT    9410
 AU    Raiteri R; Fora R; Gioannini P; Russo R; Lucchini A; Terzi MG; Giacobbi
       D; Sinicco A; Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Turin,
       Italy.
 SO    Genitourin Med. 1994 Jun;70(3):200-5. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94314310
 AB    OBJECTIVE--To estimate the HIV-1 seroprevalence, behavioural risks and
       attitude to HIV-1 infection among lesbians. SETTING--Institute of
       Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, Italy. SUBJECTS--From March
       1992 to May 1993, 181 lesbians were tested for HIV-1 and included in the
       study. METHODS--Sociodemographic details, nonsexual risks for HIV-1,
       sexual behaviour, STD history and attitude to HIV-1 were obtained from
       an anonymous, standardised, self-administered, 30-item questionnaire.
       Snow-ball techniques were used to recruit the largest possible number of
       participants. RESULTS--11 lesbians (6.1%) were found to be HIV-1
       antibody positive. Of them, 10 were intravenous (i.v.) drug users. STD
       episodes were higher among lesbians with HIV-1 than without (p = 0.04),
       increasing in both groups over time. Syphilis, genital herpes and viral
       hepatitis were highly associated with HIV-1 (p = 0.000). In univariate
       analysis, i.v. drug use, bisexual behaviour, history of STDs, sex during
       menses and vaginal/anal manipulation were significantly linked to HIV-1
       (p = 0.000). In multivariate analysis only history of i.v. drug use (p =
       0.04) and bisexual behaviour (p = 0.06) remained independently
       associated with HIV-1. Seventy-one participants (39.3%) had already
       undergone AIDS testing. Only 3.5% admitted to be at risk for HIV-1 and
       11% changed their sex habits after first hearing of AIDS. No lesbian had
       ever practised safe-sex. Television was the most important source of
       information on HIV-1 (84%). CONCLUSION--I.v. drug use was the most
       likely means of HIV-1 infecting the lesbians of Turin. The high rate of
       STDs and the low perceived risk to HIV-1 require programmes of STD
       prevention and AIDS information to be targeted at the lesbian community.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PSYCHOLOGY  Adolescence  Adult
       *Attitude to Health  Female  Homosexuality/*PSYCHOLOGY  Human  HIV
       Seropositivity  *HIV Seroprevalence  Italy/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Risk-Taking
       Sex Behavior  Sexual Partners  Sexually Transmitted Diseases/ETIOLOGY
       Substance Abuse, Intravenous  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Time Factors
       JOURNAL ARTICLE

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