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1996-03-09
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Document 0300
DOCN M9650300
TI 'Dry sex' and HIV infection among women attending a sexually transmitted
diseases clinic in Lusaka, Zambia.
DT 9605
AU Sandala L; Lurie P; Sunkutu MR; Chani EM; Hudes ES; Hearst N; Department
of Dermato-Venereology, University Teaching Hospital,; Lusaka, Zambia.
SO AIDS. 1995 Jul;9 Suppl 1:S61-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
MED/96085745
AB OBJECTIVES: To describe 'dry sex' practices intended to decrease vaginal
secretions and to determine whether these practices are related to HIV
infection. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted
in a sexually transmitted diseases clinic in a teaching hospital in
Lusaka, Zambia. The subjects comprised 329 women aged 15-50 years
presenting consecutively for an initial evaluation of sexually
transmitted disease symptoms. Dry sex practices were assessed by
questionnaire, and serological testing for HIV antibodies was performed.
RESULTS: Fifty percent of women had engaged in at least one dry sex
practice. The most common practices were drinking 'porridge' (a liquid
or suspension believed to cause drying of the vagina; 28%), removing
vaginal secretions with a cloth (22%) and placing leaves in the vagina
(11%). The most frequent reasons given for drinking porridge were to
increase the partner's sexual enjoyment and to tighten the vagina, while
cleaning the vagina was mentioned often by those using cloth or leaves.
Swelling or peeling of the vagina was reported by approximately 10% of
women using cloth or leaves. Overall, the HIV seroprevalence in the
sample was 58%. In bivariate analysis, no practice was statistically
significantly associated with HIV infection. Multiple logistic
regression had little impact on these findings. CONCLUSIONS: Although a
variety of practices with potential relevance to HIV transmission were
reported, there was no evidence in this study population of a strong
relationship between these practices and HIV infection. Women should be
counseled about the potential risks of these practices, but prevention
efforts should continue to emphasize measures of known effectiveness,
particularly limiting the numbers of sexual partners, consistently using
condoms and obtaining appropriate treatment for sexually transmitted
diseases.
DE Adolescence Adult Cross-Sectional Studies *Developing Countries
Female Human HIV Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION &
CONTROL/*TRANSMISSION Incidence Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Male
Middle Age Risk Factors *Sex Behavior Sex Education Sexually
Transmitted Diseases/EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL/ *TRANSMISSION
Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Zambia/EPIDEMIOLOGY JOURNAL ARTICLE
SOURCE: National Library of Medicine. NOTICE: This material may be
protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).