News Archive: HIV, STDs, and Sexual Behavior
Return to present year
2005
HIV patients with low socioeconomic status have lower survival rates — Dec. 2005
HIV-patients with low socioeconomic status have in the past been found to receive poorer treatment for HIV than other groups. This study finds that these groups also have much lower survival rates; patients with poor financial assets had an 89% greater risk of death and those without a high school education had a 53% greater risk of death than groups of higher socioeconomic status.
Read abstract
More on HIV research
Few HIV patients receive standard treatment for chronic Hepatitis C virus — Nov. 2005
One of the leading causes of mortality among HIV patients is liver disease related to the Hepatitic C virus (HCV), yet very few co-infected patients receive the standard of care for chronic HCV.
Innovative approach for increasing HIV counseling and testing — Nov. 2005
In California, injection drug users (IDUs) are a leading risk group for HIV infection, yet some evidence suggests they are more interested in counseling and testing for HCV than HIV. The California Department of Health Services integrated HIV and HCV counseling and testing services in an effort to improve prevention of both diseases.
Barriers and preferences related to condom use among syringe exchange participants — Nov. 2005
Findings of this study show that injection drug users participating in syringe exchange programs in California may increase condom use in response to particular types of interventions, particularly if the focus is on increasing awareness about positive aspects of condom use and sexual risks from steady partners.
Psychosocial characteristics of drug users related to participation in syringe exchange programs — Nov. 2005
A three-city study analyzed differences between HIV prevention messages and supplies from syringe exchange programs in an effort to determine whether injection drug users who use these services show psychosocial differences from those who do not use the programs.
RAND Health study presents oral health findings for adult patients with HIV — Oct. 2005
The HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS) examines issues related to adult medical patients who are HIV-positive. This article presents oral health findings and concludes that Medicaid programs should include adult dental benefits.
Chronic viral hepatitis in HIV patients does not impact health-related quality of life — Oct. 2005
An evaluation of the health-related quality of life for patients with both HIV and chronic viral hepatitis found no substantial differences in quality of life as compared to HIV patients with no co-occurring disease.
Violence and substance abuse experiences differ among impoverished women — Sep. 2005
High rates of interpersonal violence exist among women living in low-income housing and temporary shelters, but there are differences in the experiences of these two groups. Substance abuse, rape, and self-blame were more common among sheltered women.
Majority of HIV patients report importance of spirituality — Sep. 2005
A large majority of HIV-infected patients in the U.S. affirm the importance of religiousness and spirituality. Certain demographic factors were associated with religiousness or spirituality, but no relationship was found to patients' clinical stage of HIV.
RAND Health study among most-read articles in Health Affairs — Aug. 2005
RAND Health article "Cost-Effective Allocation of Government Funds to Prevent HIV Infection" made the top 50 list at Health Affairs this past month.
See Health Affairs Top 50
Partner abuse associated with risky sexual behaviors among people with HIV/AIDS. Individuals with HIV who experienced or perpetrated abuse within a close relationship were likely to engage in unprotected intercourse with that same partner, and problems were exacerbated by substance abuse.
More on the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS) (Posted 08/05.)Racial and ethnic segmentation of female prostitution in Los Angeles County. The study examined the hidden population of women who solicit clients in private locales off the street. Results show a high degree of racial and ethnic segmentation in the sex industry, reflecting an influx of ethnic entrepreneurs who market prostitution in culturally specific ways. (Posted 08/05.)
Associating mental health and use of medical services for HIV patients. Serious medical illness is often accompanied by psychological distress. Identifying HIV patients with symptoms of affective or anxiety disorders may reduce overall treament costs.
More on the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS) (Posted 07/05.)Maximizing HIV prevention in the U.S. Focusing HIV-related interventions on the most cost-effective strategies may prevent substantially more HIV infections in the United States each year than current approaches.
Abstract | Research brief | More on HIV research (Posted 07/05.)Conspiracy beliefs about birth control — July 2005
Many African American respondents to a recent survey endorsed conspiracy beliefs about birth control, including the belief that it is a form of Black genocide and that it is unsafe. Public health practitioners can play a major role in dispelling such beliefs.Many adults with HIV perceive discrimination by health care providers. Twenty-six percent of HIV-infected adults in a national sample perceived some form of discrimination by a health care provider. Whites were more likely than Latinos or Blacks to report the problem.
More on HIV research (Posted 07/05.)Screening for gonorrhea in urban emergency departments. Many uninsured or medically underserved women use inner-city emergency departments as their usual source of health care. Using new gonorrhea screening technology that provides same-visit results can prevent later reproductive problems in young women and provide costs savings to society. (Posted 06/05.)
Is television content causally related to adolescent sexual behavior? Results of several new studies based on the RAND Television and Adolescent Sexuality data set indicate that practitioners should discuss television portrayals of sex with adolescents to help them identify and avoid any adverse effects the media might have on their sexual behavior.
Related study: Worksite parenting programs promote healthy adolescent sexual development More on the sexual behavior of adolescents (Posted 06/05.)Couple-focused support can improve HIV medication adherence. A randomized control trial (SMART couples) found that participants in the program significantly improved their adherence to medication schedules. However, effects diminished with time, as seen at follow-up at 3 and 6 months. (Posted 06/05.)
RAND Health HIV study wins award. A pioneering study based on the first national probability sample of HIV adult patients receiving medical care in the United States has been awarded the 2005 Policy Impact Award by the American Association for Public Opinion Research. More on the study (Posted 05/05.)
Young adults are at significant sexual risk for HIV infection. Rising prevalence of HIV suggests that prevention programs should target individuals who use alcohol frequently and who are victims of violence. More on HIV research (Posted 04/05.)
Recruiting drug-using men who have sex with men into interventions. A recent study showed that men who participated first in discussion groups on topics such as party drugs were later more willing to accept behaviorial interventions. (Posted 03/05.)
Older HIV-positive adults. As a result of improved treatments, nearly ten percent of HIV patients in the US is now between 50 and 61 years of age. Policy changes are needed to promote labor force participation and continuous access to antiretroviral therapies for affected individuals. More on HIV research (Posted 03/05.)
Routine screening for HIV infection—Timely and cost-effective. In the US, HIV infection is generally discovered at an advanced stage. Earlier diagnosis would be far preferable because it could speed access to appropriate care. Read the editorial in the latest issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. (Viewing the editorial requires registration or purchase.)
NPR News audio interview | More on HIV research (Posted 02/05.)HIV-positive parents limit hugs and kisses. More than one third of HIV-positive parents fear transmitting HIV to their children or catching an infection from their child. Consequently, more than a quarter of the parents avoided some type of normal interaction with their children, such as kissing, hugging, and sharing utensils. More on HIV research (Posted 02/05.)
Study finds conspiracy beliefs among African Americans deter condom use. Significant numbers of African Americans believe in conspiracy theories about AIDS, and black men with such beliefs are less likely to use condoms as a precaution against spreading the HIV virus. Press release | NPR News audio interview | More on HIV research (Posted 01/05.)
Services for the mentally ill with HIV. A recent survey in LA and NY found that people with severe mental illness and HIV often need financial assistance, housing, and mental health care. However, unmet needs decreased as HIV infection advanced, suggesting that this group may benefit from special resources available for people with HIV. More on HIV... (Posted 01/05.)
Top