Sexually transmitted infections in women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

Background and Objectives: Limited prospective data are available on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among HIV-infected patients. The incidence and predictors of STIs were assessed among HIV-infected women enrolled in a clinical trial. Study Design: Prospective cohort of 323 women. Results: Sixty-five percent had at least one STI based on history and/or examination at baseline. Most conditions identified at baseline were based on patient history; only 10 of 123 women with no history of an STI (8.1%) had one identified upon examination. During a median follow-up of 2.1 years, 25% developed a new/recurrent STI. Being African-American (odds ratio [OR] = 4.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45-12.26), reporting sex with an intravenous drug user as an HIV risk behavior (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.34- 3.92), and a history/presence of STIs at baseline (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.01- 3.19) were factors associated with significantly increased risk of STI's. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of women developed new STIs during the course of the clinical trial. Prevention efforts should be emphasized among high risk HIV-infected patients.