Title: Human immunodeficiency virus transmission and oral contraceptives. Reply [letter]

POPLINE Document Number: 120369

Author(s):

Plourde PJ
Ronald AR
Plummer FA

Source citation:

JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES, 1993 May;167(5):1257-8.

Abstract:

The authors, in this reply to Nicolosi's letter to the editor, concur with his identification of potential sources of bias inherent in their study of oral contraceptives (OCs) as a risk factor in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and they urge cautious interpretation of their findings. The high correlation noted by Nicolosi of HIV with condom use was entirely due to the behavior of prostitutes. When prostitutes were excluded from the analysis, this correlation disappeared. Although further HIV transmission studies are needed to assess factors such as the impact of duration of OC use, it is likely that OCs strongly interact with sexually transmitted diseases such as genital ulcers, facilitating heterosexual HIV transmission. Since OCs are not effective in the control of sexually transmitted diseases, family planning programs should promote concurrent use of a barrier method.

Keywords:

HIV Infections
Oral Contraceptives
Risk Factors
Sex Workers
Bias
Women
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Contraceptive Methods
Contraception
Family Planning
Biology
Sex Behavior
Behavior
Error Sources
Measurement
Research Methodology
Demographic Factors
Population