Safety and acceptability of the candidate microbicide Carraguard in Thai Women: findings from a Phase II Clinical Trial.

Objective: To determine the safety and acceptability of vaginal application of Carraguard, a carrageenan-derived candidate microbicide gel.

Design: A randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blinded clinical trial was conducted in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand.

Methods: Women were asked to insert one applicator of study gel vaginally at least three times per week (with or without sex) and to use gel with condoms every time they had sex.

Rapid whole-blood finger-stick test for HIV antibody: performance and acceptability among women in northern Thailand.

Although use of rapid HIV antibody tests of finger-stick blood specimens could expand voluntary counseling and testing in areas where fear of venipuncture and delays in learning test results are barriers, there is little information on performance and acceptability of these tests in Asia. We used the Hema. Strip HIV-1/2 test (Saliva Diagnostic Systems, Vancouver, WA) in a prospective cohort study of HIV seroincidence among women in northern Thailand from 1998 to 1999.

The evolving epidemiology of HIV infection and tuberculosis in northern Thailand.

Objectives: To examine the association between HIV infection and tuberculosis (TB) and the proportion of TB attributable to HIV in Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, in response to a rapidly changing incidence of HIV infection.

Methods: Case-control study covering the period 1990 to 1998. Cases were all new TB patients seen at Chiang Rai Hospital.

Incidence of HIV-1 infection and effects of clinic-based counseling on HIV preventive behaviors among married women in northern Thailand.

To determine the incidence of and risk factors for HIV-1 infection among married women in northern Thailand, we enrolled 779 seronegative women from family planning clinics and a postpartum ward in Chiang Rai, Thailand, from 1998 through 1999. Women were tested for HIV antibodies at 6 and 12 months after enrollment. They received HIV prevention counseling at enrollment and at each follow-up visit.