Anderson J, Horn J, King R, Keller J, Herbert B, Barbacci M; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1989 Jun 4-9; 5: 760 (abstract no. Th.D.P.10).

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

OBJECTIVE: Describe gynecologic (GYN) variables in women attending an inner city HIV clinic. METHODS: Retrospective review of available GYN information obtained from 83 HIV seropositive women seen between 1984 and 1989. RESULTS: The mean age was 31.9 years (range 20-58). The racial distribution was: Black-80%; Caucasian-15%; Other-5%. HIV infection risk factors included: IV drug use (IVDU) alone-29%; heterosexual contact with a high-risk partner only-24%; blood transfusion-7%; unknown or denied-7%; IVDU and heterosexual contact with a high- risk partner-23%. Of 67 patients, 81% had ever been pregnant and 57% of these had greater than or equal to 2 living children. Furthermore, 71%(39/55) continued to be sexually active; of these 9.7%(3/31) used no form of contraception and only 39%(12/31) used condoms. After knowing of their serostatus, 18%(10/55) became pregnant and 8/10 delivered term infants. History of GYN problems was elicited in 34%(25/74). Of 50 women reporting a history of sexually transmitted disease 56% had had gonorrhea; 18% syphilis; 20% genital herpes; and 14% genital warts. Active GYN problems at first visit were uncovered in 34%. During the time of review, 37%(31/83) women had abnormal GYN exams including 6 pelvic masses and 10 cases of genital herpes; 19%(4/21) Pap smears were abnormal. CONCLUSION: Heterosexual activity is a frequent mode of HIV transmission in this population. Unsafe sexual practices and inadequate contraception are prevalent and likely to perpetuate spread of infection. The GYN history and exam were often overlooked, but GYN problems accounted for substantial past and current morbidity in this predominantly inner-city population.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• African Americans
• Ambulatory Care Facilities
• Child
• Condoms
• Condylomata Acuminata
• Contraception
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Herpes Genitalis
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Substance-Related Disorders
• Syphilis

Other ID:

• 00400789

UI: 102179908

From Meeting Abstracts