1. Home
  2. Vol 8, No 2 (2004)
  3. Leickness C Simbayi

Sexual Exposure to Blood and Increased Risks for Heterosexual HIV Transmission in Cape Town, South Africa

Seth C Kalichman Leickness C Simbayi(1),


(1) 
Corresponding Author

Abstract


A total of 224 men and 276 women living in a Black township in Cape Town, South Africa, were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Information was elicited on demographic characteristics and sexual behaviours over the three months preceding the interview including engaging in sexual contact that involved blood, lifetime history of STI diagnoses and STI symptoms, and HIV prevention knowledge. Thirty six per cent of the men and 28% of women experienced sexual contact involving blood in the past three months. Sexual blood contact was associated with the number of sex partners, unprotected intercourse and sexually transmitted infections. Sexual exposure to blood is prevalent and may be a facilitating factor for HIV transmission in South Africa. Modern medical care providers as well as traditional healers should be encouraged to advise their clients to refrain from sexual intercourse during menstruation and other types of genital bleeding. (Afr J Reprod Health 2004; 8[2]: 55-58)

 

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, hererosexual transmission, South Africa, genital bleeding


References


Latif AS, Katzenstein DA, Bassett MT, Houston S, Emmanuel JC and Marowa E. Genital ulcers and transmission of HIV among couples in Zimbabwe. AIDS 1989; 3: 519-523.

Tanfer K and Aral S. Sexual intercourse during menstruating and self-reported sexually transmitted disease history among women. Sex Trans Dis 1996; 23: 395-401.

Yeaman G, Howell A, Weldon S, Demian J, Collins J, O'Connell D, Asin S, Wira C and Fanger M. Human immunodeficiency virus receptor and co-receptor expression on the human epithelial cells: regulation of expression during the menstrual cycle and implications for human immunodeficiency virus infection. Immunology 2003; 109: 137-146.

De Vincenzi I. Longitudinal study of human immunodeficiency virus transmission by heterosexual partners. N Engl J Med 1994; 331: 341-346.

Kalichman S and Simbayi L. HIV testing attitudes, AIDS stigmas and voluntary HIV counselling and testing in the Western Cape, South Africa. Sex Trans Infect 2003; 79: 442-447.


Full Text: DOC

Article Metrics

Abstract View : 364 times
DOC Download : 222 times

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.