Heterosexual HIV Transmission Study (HATS)
Data Collection
Collected from today forward - ProspectiveHIV Infections
+ Healthy
See all eligibility criteria
Case-Control
Comparing exposures between individuals with and without disease in order to identify potential risk factors.See protocol details
Summary
PRIMARY: To identify sexual behaviors and biological factors associated with an increased risk of heterosexual HIV transmission. SECONDARY: To assess the effect of safer sex counseling on behavior of sexually active heterosexuals in which one member of the couple is infected with HIV. To create a repository of serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, semen, and cervico-vaginal washings from heterosexual couples who are concordant (both partners HIV infected) and discordant (one partner HIV infected) with respect to HIV infection. In the United States, the number of AIDS cases attributed to heterosexual transmission, although still a small percentage of the total number of reported cases, is the most rapidly growing category. The rate at which HIV is transmitted between heterosexual couples and the factors that may impede or enhance heterosexual transmission are important to understanding and slowing the worldwide HIV epidemic. In the United States, the number of AIDS cases attributed to heterosexual transmission, although still a small percentage of the total number of reported cases, is the most rapidly growing category. The rate at which HIV is transmitted between heterosexual couples and the factors that may impede or enhance heterosexual transmission are important to understanding and slowing the worldwide HIV epidemic. This epidemiologic study is composed of three parts. PART A: In a prospective study, heterosexual couples who are discordant with respect to HIV infection will be evaluated at 6-month intervals to determine whether HIV transmission has occurred and to identify biological and behavioral factors associated with HIV transmission from the infected partner to the uninfected partner. PART B: A case-control study will compare behavioral and biological data from heterosexual couples who are concordant for HIV infection at study entry with data from appropriate discordant couples enrolled in the prospective study. "Cases" will be HIV-infected secondary partners (from concordant couples) and "controls" will be uninfected secondary partners (from discordant couples). PART C: In a cross-sectional study, semen and cervico-vaginal washings will be collected from HIV-infected men and women in Parts A and B and evaluated for presence of HIV by virologic and serologic methods. Members of each couple will be interviewed separately by different interviewers. Demographic, sexual behavior and drug use history, and psychosocial information will be obtained. Participants will undergo clinical examination and various diagnostic laboratory tests (e.g., blood tests, urine screening, and gynecological tests). They will receive post-test counseling.
Protocol
This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.Samples from participants are kept, and they can be used to extract DNA in the future. These might include things like blood or frozen tissue. This allows researchers to study genetics and how DNA may relate to the disease.
Other Options for Sample Use
Samples Without DNA: Samples are kept but not usable for DNA analysis.
None Retained: No samples are kept after the study.
Participants are selected without using randomization. They may be chosen based on convenience, access, or willingness to participate. This approach is common when random selection isn’t practical.
Another way to select participants is through a probability sample, where participants are chosen randomly, so everyone has an equal chance to be included.
Researchers start collecting data from the present day forward, following participants over time to observe outcomes. This approach helps identify how exposures or behaviors may lead to health events in the future.Other Ways to Collect Data
Retrospective: These studies use existing medical records or past data.
Cross-sectional: These studies collect data at one single point in time.
Others: Some studies use a mix of approaches or less common designs depending on the research goal.
Eligibility
Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.Conditions
Criteria
Study Plan
Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.are designated in this study