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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01043081

Sexually Transmitted Infections Among African American Women Who Have Sex With Women

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Sexually Transmitted Infections Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Bacterial Infections Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Behavior Blood-Borne Infections Chlamydia Infections Chlamydiaceae Infections Communicable Diseases Disease Attributes Female Urogenital Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Genital Diseases Genital Diseases, Female Gonorrhea Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections HIV Infections Homosexuality Immune System Diseases Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes Infections Lentivirus Infections Neisseriaceae Infections Neoplasms Parasitic Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Precancerous Conditions Protozoan Infections RNA Virus Infections Retroviridae Infections Sexual Behavior Sexuality Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral Slow Virus Diseases Spirochaetales Infections Syphilis Treponemal Infections Trichomonas Infections Urogenital Diseases Uterine Cervical Diseases Uterine Cervical Dysplasia Uterine Diseases Vaginal Diseases Vaginitis Vaginosis, Bacterial Virus Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Crossroads Clinic

Jackson, Mississippi, 39216, United States

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Prevalence rates of sexually transmitted infections

    Time frame: 18 Months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Associated sexual risk behaviors

    Time frame: 18 Months

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Other

Collaborators

  • Mississippi State Department of Health
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham

Registry information

Official study title

Prevalence Rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among African American Women Who Have Sex With Women

Acronym: WSW

Important dates

Study start
2009
Primary completion
2011
Study completion
2012
First posted
Jan 6, 2010
Registry last updated
May 11, 2016

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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