HIV Transmission Risk Behavior Substudy
HIV Transmission Risk Behavior Substudy
The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of two different anti-HIV drug regimens on HIV transmission risk behavior among SMART study participants.
It is important to consider the role that HIV infected individuals play in ongoing HIV transmission. Different anti-HIV treatment regimens may lead to variations in HIV transmission risk behavior among HIV infected individuals. HIV infected people with viral loads of less than 1,000 copies/ml are less likely to transmit HIV through heterosexual sex. However, condom use sometimes decreases after individuals start combination antiretroviral therapy (ART); also, some studies have shown an increased rate in acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) following initiation of ART, and those on ART may transmit a drug-resistant strain of HIV. In the SMART study, participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups:
The purpose of this study is to compare how the DC and VS regimens affect HIV transmission risk behavior among SMART study participants.
At baseline, participants will complete a questionnaire about their sexual behavior during the previous 2 months. They will also undergo urine and blood collection for STI testing. These same procedures will occur at Months 4 and 12, then every year thereafter for the first 4 years that a participant is in the parent study. Participants and their physicians will be notified of STI testing results so that patients can be referred to appropriate care.
Inclusion Criteria:
Fresno, California 93702, United States
San Francisco, California 94110, United States
Washington D.C., District of Columbia 20422, United States
Camden, New Jersey, United States
Somers Point, New Jersey 08244, United States
Voorhees Township, New Jersey 08043, United States
Portland, Oregon 97213, United States
Norfolk, Virginia 23507, United States