Heterosexual transmission of HIV in Greece.

ABSTRACT

PIP: A serologic study of the 53 female partners of Greek men with confirmed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, conducted from January 1986-May 1987 in Athens, provided additional evidence for a heterosexual mode of transmission. All 53 females tested had had a steady sexual relationship that exceeded 6 months with their male partner and a limited prior sexual history. Among the seropositive males were 18 bisexuals, 6 intravenous drug abusers, 4 heterosexuals who had resided previously in Africa, and 25 hemophiliacs. 12 (23%) of the 53 female partners were seropositive for antibodies to HIV. The lowest frequency of infection was found among spouses of hemophiliacs (4%); the other prevalence rates were 28% for partners of bisexual men, 33% for partners of intravenous drug abusers, and 100% among the spouses of men who had lived in Africa for a significant time period. The duration of the sexual relationship averaged 32 months among seronegative women and 40 months among seropositive female partners. None of the 12 carriers whose spouses were found to be seropositive had used condoms; in contrast, 37 (90%) of carriers of seronegative spouses had used condoms regularly in the 6-month period preceding the study. The practice of anal intercourse was reported more frequently by seropositive female partners (33%) than seronegative women (24%), but this difference was not significant.