HIV prevalence and risk behaviours among injecting drug users in six indonesian cities implications for future HIV prevention programs.

Background: The HIV prevalence among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Indonesia reached 50% in 2005. While drug use remains illegal in Indonesia, a needle and syringe program (NSP) was implemented in 2006.

Methods: In 2007, an integrated behavioural and biological surveillance survey was conducted among IDUs in six cities.

Is the bed capture enzyme immunoassay useful for surveillance in concentrated epidemics? The case of female sex workers in Indonesia.

Although the BED capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA) tends to over-estimate HIV incidence in general population epidemics, its limitations may be less relevant to some sub-populations in concentrated epidemics. This study assesses the plausibility of BED-CEIA estimates for female sex workers (FSWs) in Indonesia. Data were derived from a cross-sectional anonymous linked behavioral and biological surveillance survey.

HIV risk behavior among HIV-infected men who have sex with men in Bangkok, Thailand.

We assessed prevalence of sexually transmitted infection (STIs), sexual risk behaviors, and factors associated with risk behaviors among HIV-infected MSM attending a public STI clinic serving MSM in Bangkok, Thailand. Between October 2005-October 2007, 154 HIV-infected MSM attending the clinic were interviewed about sexual risk behaviors and evaluated for STIs. Patients were examined for genital ulcers and had serologic testing for syphilis and PCR testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and sexual risk behavior among transgenders in Indonesia.

Behavioral surveillance was undertaken among 1,150 male-to-female transgenders (waria) in Java, Indonesia, 2007; samples were collected for HIV and STI testing (n = 748). Almost all waria had ever sold sex (median duration 10 years). Prevalence of HIV was 24.

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and sexual risk behavior among female sex workers in nine provinces in Indonesia, 2005.

The objective of this study was to assess the sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence and sexual risk behavior among female sex workers (FSWs) in Indonesia. This cross-sectional 2005 study involved 2500 FSWs in nine provinces in Indonesia. Informed consent was obtained; behavioral and clinical data were collected.

Syphilis among female sex workers in Indonesia: need and opportunity for intervention.

Objective: To study the prevalence and factors associated with syphilis among female sex workers (FSWs) in Indonesia.

Methods: Direct and indirect FSWs were sampled in 10 major cities in Indonesia. A behavioural survey was conducted and samples obtained and tested for HIV (Bioline and Determine) and syphilis (RPR and Determine).

Addressing the high prevalence of gonorrhoea and chlamydia among female sex workers in Indonesia: results of an enhanced, comprehensive intervention.

Objectives: The authors developed a comprehensive STI-control programme to decrease gonorrhoea and chlamydia prevalence, and increase consistent condom use among brothel-based sex workers in Indonesia.

Methods: The STI-control programme for brothel-based sex workers in Bintan Island (Riau Islands) and Salatiga (Central Java) included (1) provision of adequate drugs for gonorrhoea and chlamydia as periodic presumptive treatment (PPT) followed by syndromic treatment; (2) condom-use promotion by involving the local community and ensuring sufficient condom supply. Endocervical samples were collected and tested for gonorrhoea and chlamydia by PCR.

Maternal herpes simplex virus type 2 coinfection increases the risk of perinatal HIV transmission: possibility to further decrease transmission?

Objectives: To evaluate the association between maternal herpes simplex virus type 2 seropositivity and genital herpes simplex virus type 2 shedding with perinatal HIV transmission.

Study Design: Evaluation of women who participated in a 1996-1997 perinatal HIV transmission prevention trial in Thailand.

Methods: In this nonbreastfeeding population, women were randomized to zidovudine or placebo from 36 weeks gestation through delivery; maternal plasma and cervicovaginal HIV viral load and infant HIV status were determined for the original study.

No increase in cervicovaginal proinflammatory cytokines after Carraguard use in a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.

Background: Assessment of cervicovaginal cytokine levels may be helpful to evaluate subclinical epithelial inflammation during safety evaluations of candidate microbicides.

Methods: Fifty-five HIV-seronegative Thai women were enrolled in a safety trial of the candidate microbicide Carraguard and were randomized to use Carraguard or placebo gel before vaginal sex. Cervicovaginal lavages were collected at baseline and after 1 month of gel use; levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) were measured using microwell plate-based enzyme immunoassays.

Screening HIV-infected women for cervical cancer in Thailand: findings from a demonstration project.

Objectives: Although cervical cancer is an AIDS-defining illness, few HIV-infected women are routinely screened for cervical cancer in Thailand. We screened HIV-infected women for cervical cancer as a component of HIV care and assessed high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer prevalence.

Methods: From July 2003 through February 2004, HIV-infected women attending either an infectious disease clinic or a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Bangkok were tested for high-risk HPV types by Hybrid Capture 2 and screened for cervical cancer by Pap test; those with abnormal cervical cytology were referred for diagnosis and treatment.

Sexually transmitted infection services as a component of HIV care: findings of a demonstration project among HIV-infected women in Thailand.

Objectives: As Thailand scales up its antiretroviral treatment program, the role of sexually transmitted infection (STI) services to prevent HIV transmission has not been addressed. We provided STI services for HIV-infected women as a component of HIV care and assessed STI prevalence and risk behaviors.

Methods: HIV-infected women attending an infectious disease clinic and an STI clinic in Bangkok were screened for the presence of genital ulcers by visual inspection, for gonorrhea and chlamydial infection by polymerase chain reaction, for trichomoniasis by wet mount, and for syphilis by serology.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) detection among human immunodeficiency virus-infected pregnant Thai women: implications for future HPV immunization.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women are at increased risk for developing cervical cancer and for infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Prophylactic vaccines targeting HPV types 16 and 18 are being evaluated for efficacy among young women.

Goal: The goal was to assess the prevalence of HPV among HIV-infected pregnant women in Bangkok and to evaluate the need for prophylactic HPV vaccines studies in this population.

Interpretation of genital findings in microbicide safety trials: review of the 'Photo Atlas for Microbicide Evaluation'.

The Photo Atlas for Microbicide Evaluation was published in May 2002 for distribution among researchers to be used as a training or reference document during microbicide clinical trials. We have reviewed the contents of the Photo Atlas, including the interpretation and documentation of genital findings. The rationale for the categorization of genital lesions into different lesion types is also discussed.