RISK BEHAVIORS FOR HIV-INFECTION IN CLIENTS OF PENNSYLVANIA FAMILY-PLANNING CLINICS

Responses from a statewide survey of risk behaviors among clients of Planned Parenthood clinics in Pennsylvania indicate that a sizable proprotion of these women are at intermediate or high risk for exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Overall, nearly five percent of the 15,499 women in the sample reported personal behavior, or a partner's behavior, that placed them at high risk, while an additional 20 percent were at intermediate risk. Among all women surveyed, 13 percent had had three or more partners in the past year, 12 percent had had a sexually transmitted disease, four percent had partners, who were intravenous (IV) drug users, two percent were either current or past IV drug users, one percent had bisexual partners and less than one percent had partners who had hemophilia or who were infected with the AIDS virus.; Responses from a statewide survey of risk behaviors among clients of Planned Parenthood clinics in Pennsylvania indicate that a sizeable proportion of these women are at intermediate or high risk for exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Overall, nearly 5% of the 15,499 women in the sample reported personal behavior or a partner's behavior, that places them at high risk, while an additional 20% were at intermediate risk. Among all women surveyed, 13% had had 3 or more partners in the past year, 12% had had a sexually transmitted disease, 4% had partners who were intravenous (IV) drug users, 2% were either current or past IV drug users, 1% had bisexual partners and 1% had partners who had hemophilia or who were infected with the AIDS virus. Of the 16,553 clinic patients who supplied demographic information, 86% were white and 78% were aged 15-24. Information on marital status and education was compiled for women aged 20 and older. Of these 70% had never married and 91% had completed at least a high school education.