Sexually Transmitted Infections Among African American Women Who Have Sex With Women (WSW)
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The purpose of this study is to determine the rates of sexually transmitted infections (STI) among a group of African American women who have sex with women (AA WSW). The first study hypothesis is that AA WSW are at risk for acquiring and transmitting STI, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The second study hypothesis is that AA WSW participate in multiple high-risk sexual activities that may facilitate transmission of STIs, including HIV.
Condition |
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Sexually Transmitted Infections HIV Infections |
Study Type: | Observational |
Study Design: | Observational Model: Case-Only Time Perspective: Cross-Sectional |
Official Title: | Prevalence Rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among African American Women Who Have Sex With Women |
- Prevalence rates of sexually transmitted infections [ Time Frame: 18 Months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Associated sexual risk behaviors [ Time Frame: 18 Months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Biospecimen Retention: Samples With DNA
Endocervical and vaginal secretion specimens are being retained for future research studies in this field of sexually transmitted diseases.
Estimated Enrollment: | 300 |
Study Start Date: | February 2009 |
Estimated Study Completion Date: | June 2012 |
Primary Completion Date: | December 2011 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
Historically, women who have sex with women (WSW) have been thought to be at low risk for acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STI), presumably due to the absence of genital mucosal contact present during vaginal-penile sex or due to the assumption that the vaginal mucosa experiences a lesser degree of trauma during female sex than during heterosexual sex. This assumption has been challenged and debated over the past two decades. In addition, the sexual health risks of WSW are only beginning to be understood.
To date the majority of research regarding STI in women has occurred in heterosexuals. National and local surveillance data that estimate the risk for STI transmission between WSW are limited, especially among African Americans. This is a group of women that may exhibit distinctive behavioral characteristics that may put them at higher risk for sexually transmitted infections STI and HIV than their Caucasian counterparts. This group of women has traditionally been reluctant to discuss their sexual orientation with physicians for fear of being stigmatized. The burden of STIs, including HIV, experienced by this group of women is largely unknown.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older |
Genders Eligible for Study: | Female |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Sampling Method: | Non-Probability Sample |
The study population is African American women, aged 18 or above, who present to the Crossroads Clinic (STD Clinic) in the Jackson, MS metropolitan area for STI screening/evaluation who have engaged in sexual contact with another woman within the past 6 months.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Female
- Age 18 years or older
- African American race
- Sexual contact with another female within the past 6 months
- Ability to give written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Male
- Age less than 18 years old
- Race other than African American
- No sexual contact with another woman within the past 6 months
- Pregnant
- Prior enrollment in this study
- Participants who, for any reason, in the opinion of the investigator, do not have the ability to give written informed consent or may not be expected to comply with the requirements of the protocol
United States, Mississippi | |
Crossroads Clinic | |
Jackson, Mississippi, United States, 39216 |
Principal Investigator: | Leandro A Mena, MD, MPH | University of Mississippi Medical Center |
No publications provided by University of Mississippi Medical Center
Additional publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
Responsible Party: | Leandro Mena, M.D., University of Mississippi Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01043081 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: | 2008-0143 |
Study First Received: | January 4, 2010 |
Last Updated: | April 2, 2012 |
Health Authority: | United States: Institutional Review Board |
Keywords provided by University of Mississippi Medical Center:
African American women who have sex with women Sexually transmitted infections Homosexuality Human papillomavirus Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 |
Chlamydia Gonorrhea Trichomoniasis Bacterial vaginosis Syphilis Human immunodeficiency virus |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
HIV Infections Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Sexually Transmitted Diseases Lentivirus Infections Retroviridae Infections RNA Virus Infections Virus Diseases |
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes Immune System Diseases Slow Virus Diseases Infection Genital Diseases, Male Genital Diseases, Female |
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on February 26, 2013