Increase in sexual risk behavior and prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among adolescents in Northern Thailand.

Background: Monitoring changes in adolescent sexual risk behaviors and sexually transmitted infections is critical for evaluating the effectiveness of human immunodeficiency virus and other prevention programs, but population-based data on adolescents in Thailand are limited. We report findings from 2 cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1999 and 2002 among 15-to 21-year-old vocational students.

Methods: In 1999 and 2002, 1725 and 966 students, respectively, were interviewed using computer-assisted self-interview methods.

Sexual initiation, substance use, and sexual behavior and knowledge among vocational students in northern Thailand.

Context: Thailand has undergone dramatic social changes in the last two decades, yet little is known about factors related to sexual initiation among adolescents.

Methods: A survey using the audio computer-assisted self-interviewing method was conducted to assess social and demographic characteristics, substance use, sexual behavior, and knowledge of HIV and STIs among 1,725 vocational school students aged 15-21 living in northern Thailand. Gender differences for these factors were evaluated using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Palmtop-assisted self-interviewing for the collection of sensitive behavioral data: randomized trial with drug use urine testing.

Palmtop-assisted self-interviewing (PASI) may provide a cheaper and more mobile alternative to audio-computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) for collecting sensitive behavioral data. To evaluate PASI, in late 2002 the authors enrolled 1,283 Thai students aged 15-21 years in a randomized trial. Data collection used PASI, ACASI, self-administered questionnaire, and face-to-face interview in combination with drug-use urine testing.

Motorcycle helmet use and related risk behaviors among adolescents and young adults in Northern Thailand.

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of not wearing a helmet (unprotected) while riding a motorcycle and associated risk behaviors among adolescents and young adults in Northern Thailand. Participants were 1725 students, aged 15-21 years, from 3 vocational schools in Chiang Rai Province; 51.8% were male.

The prevalence of bisexual and homosexual orientation and related health risks among adolescents in northern Thailand.

Homo- or bisexual (HB) adolescents may have greater and different health risks than the population of heterosexual adolescents. We assessed sexual orientation and health risk behaviors in 1,725 consenting 15- to 21-year-old vocational school students in northern Thailand. Data were collected using audio-computer-assisted self-interviewing.

Sexual health risks among young Thai women: implications for HIV/STD prevention and contraception.

This paper examines factors that may place female Thai adolescents and young adults at risk for HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and unintended pregnancies. A total of 832 female vocational students participated in a cross-sectional audio-computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) survey after providing informed consent. The questionnaire covered: sociodemographic characteristics; knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs related to HIV and STDs; contraceptive practices; sexual experiences and behaviors; and drug use.

Impact of enhanced notification of tuberculosis laboratory results to minimise treatment delay, Chiang Rai Hospital, Northern Thailand.

Setting: A provincial referral hospital in northern Thailand, where a cross-sectional study from 1995-1996 reported on the occupational risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission.

Objective: To assess the impact of acid-fast bacilli sputum smear-positive results notification to improve tuberculosis (TB) services by documenting the location of sputum collection, completing the TB register immediately, and minimising delays between hospital admission and treatment initiation.

Design: The cohort of smear-positive TB patients identified through laboratory microscopy record reviews from 1994-1999.

Risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and disease among health care workers, Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Setting: A provincial referral hospital in northern Thailand, where a cross-sectional study during 1995-1996 reported on the occupational risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission.

Objective: To describe the effectiveness of prevention strategies for nosocomial tuberculosis (TB).

Design: A prospective study among health care workers (HCW) including annual tuberculin skin test (TST) screening and active TB surveillance.

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.

Condom use among vocational school students in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Condom use and its psychosocial correlates were investigated in a sample of 1,725 male and female vocational students (aged 15-21 years) in northern Thailand. Consistent condom use was relatively infrequent with all partner types (8.0% with recent steady partners, 28.

Explosive spread and effective control of human immunodeficiency virus in northernmost Thailand: the epidemic in Chiang Rai province, 1988-99.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) epidemic began in Asia later than most in other regions but then spread very rapidly. Upper northern Thailand was severely affected, with among the highest infection rates in Asia. The first 12 years of the HIV epidemic in Chiang Rai, Thailand's northernmost province are described.

Disease progression and survival with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtype E infection among female sex workers in Thailand.

This study describes rates and correlates of disease progression and survival among 194 female sex workers in northern Thailand who were infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1; 96% with subtype E). The median rate of CD4 T lymphocyte decline (3.9 cells/microL/month), median time from infection to <200 CD4 T lymphocytes/microL (6.

HIV-1 and other sexually transmitted infections in a cohort of female sex workers in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Objectives: To determine demographic and behavioural factors and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) associated with prevalent HIV-1 infection among brothel based and other female sex workers (FSWs) in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand.

Methods: Data were collected from questionnaires, physical examinations, and laboratory evaluations on Thai FSWs enrolled in a prospective cohort study in Chiang Rai, Thailand, from 1991 to the end of 1994.

Results: HIV-1 seroprevalence was 32% among 500 women: 47% for 280 brothel workers and 13% for 220 other FSWs (p < 0.

Increased risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection related to the occupational exposures of health care workers in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Setting: Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand.

Objective: To evaluate the occupational risk for tuberculous infection of health care workers (HCWs) and the utility of tuberculin skin test (TST) in a developing country setting.

Design: A cross-sectional TST survey, including a risk assessment questionnaire, of Chiang Rai Hospital HCWs.

HIV-1 seroconversion in a prospective study of female sex workers in northern Thailand: continued high incidence among brothel-based women.

Objectives: To determine the incidence of HIV-1 infection, temporal trends in incidence, and risk factors for seroconversion in a cohort of female commercial sex workers (CSW) in upper northern Thailand, the region of Thailand with the highest rates of HIV-1 infection.

Methods: CSW were enrolled from 1991 through 1994 and evaluated prospectively with interviews, physical examination, testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STD), and serologic testing for HIV-1 infection.

Results: The incidence of HIV-1 seroconversion in the first year of follow-up was 20.

Utility of tuberculin and anergy skin testing in predicting tuberculosis infection in human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons in Thailand.

Setting: Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand, where extensive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission has resulted in a rapid increase in tuberculosis.

Objective: To assess the utility of tuberculin and anergy skin testing to identify latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected persons.

Design: A cross-sectional study and analysis were conducted to examine reactivity to tuberculin and two control antigens (mumps and candida) in HIV-negative and HIV-positive blood donors and female sex workers.

HIV-related risk factors of blood donors in northern Thailand before and after knowing HIV test results.

Background: The epidemic of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection led blood banks to initiate donation deferral criteria based on self-reported risk factors. However little information is available on the differences in reporting risk factors before and after HIV status is known.

Methods: Between April and July 1994, blood donors in a provincial hospital in northern.

Adherence to tuberculosis preventive therapy among HIV-infected persons in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Objective: To determine the level of and reasons associated with adherence to tuberculosis preventive therapy among asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals in northern Thailand.

Design: A prospective cohort study with a 9-month follow-up.

Methods: A total of 412 HIV-infected persons were enrolled in a tuberculosis preventive therapy programme in a hospital.

Rapid increase in HIV-related tuberculosis, Chiang Rai, Thailand, 1990-1994.

Objective: Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand, has experienced an explosive HIV epidemic since 1989. This study assessed the impact of HIV infection on tuberculosis (TB) in the area.

Methods: We analyzed the incidence of reported TB in the province from 1982 through 1993 and TB registry data at Chiang Rai Hospital from 1985 through 1994.

Donation deferral criteria for human immunodeficiency virus positivity among blood donors in northern Thailand.

Background: The purpose of this study was to develop human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection donation deferral criteria for blood donors in an HIV-epidemic area of northern Thailand, where the predominant means of transmission of HIV is through heterosexual contact.

Study Design And Methods: In a preliminary study, 2242 blood donors were interviewed, and their blood was tested for HIV antibodies between September 1993 and April 1994. The risk factors associated with HIV positivity were identified.