Epidemiologic research on communicable diseases has evolved from using static models suitable for noncommunicable diseases to using dynamic mathematical models more appropriate for studying the diffusion of infections through populations over time. With the application of deterministic and stochastic models, attention has shifted from analyzing only the risk factors of individuals, to also the interactions between individuals that drive transmission of infection. For sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the focus of research has thus shifted from an initial emphasis on individual sexual risk behaviors to a more comprehensive integration of data including sexual mixing matrices, partnership concurrency, other sex partnership characteristics and ecological factors that influence all of these levels of interaction. Surprisingly little empirical data have been collected on these higher order patterns of sexual interaction, particularly on potential differences in patterns associated with the various STIs that have very different natural histories. The integrated training activities and research proposed will provide Dr. Golden with skills to facilitate his goal of becoming an independent academic investigator as he collects and analyzes such data. The proposed studies include systematic, concurrent analyses of patterns of sexual mixing and sexual network characteristics for important STIs with very dissimilar natural histories: two bacterial STIs (gonorrhea and chlamydial infection) and two viral STIs (newly acquired genital herpes and HIV). Three federally funded studies at the UW already support recruitment of individuals with these infections, allowing the proposed studies to be added with only small additional cost. Mentoring by Dr. Geoff Garnett at Oxford University, and Drs. King Holmes and Martina Morris at the UW will help guide development of data on sexual networks and the use of such data to improve mathematical models designed to assess the potential impact of innovative preventive interventions.
Specific aims will be to: 1) define sexual networks associated with gonorrhea and chlamydial infection and use empiric network data in mathematical models of transmission dynamics to evaluate the potential effect of partner notification, counseling and treatment on the prevalence of these two infections; and 2) To define the sexual networks associated with the acquisition of HIV and genital HSV infections, compare them to sexual networks of people with bacterial STI and without STIs, and use empiric network data in mathematical models of transmission dynamics to evaluate the potential effects of behavior and antiviral treatment interventions on the prevalence of these infections.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
1K23AI001846-01
Application #
6230392
Study Section
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases B Subcommittee (MID)
Program Officer
Savarese, Barbara M
Project Start
2000-09-30
Project End
2005-05-31
Budget Start
2000-09-30
Budget End
2001-05-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$125,658
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
135646524
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
Glick, Sara Nelson; Morris, Martina; Foxman, Betsy et al. (2012) A comparison of sexual behavior patterns among men who have sex with men and heterosexual men and women. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 60:83-90
Menza, Timothy W; Kerani, Roxanne P; Handsfield, H Hunter et al. (2011) Stable sexual risk behavior in a rapidly changing risk environment: findings from population-based surveys of men who have sex with men in Seattle, Washington, 2003-2006. AIDS Behav 15:319-29
Shiely, Frances; Hayes, Kevin; Thomas, Katherine K et al. (2010) Expedited partner therapy: a robust intervention. Sex Transm Dis 37:602-7
Cassels, Susan; Menza, Timothy W; Goodreau, Steven M et al. (2009) HIV serosorting as a harm reduction strategy: evidence from Seattle, Washington. AIDS 23:2497-506
Goodreau, Steven M; Golden, Matthew R (2007) Biological and demographic causes of high HIV and sexually transmitted disease prevalence in men who have sex with men. Sex Transm Infect 83:458-62
Golden, Matthew R; Hughes, James P; Brewer, Devon D et al. (2007) Evaluation of a population-based program of expedited partner therapy for gonorrhea and chlamydial infection. Sex Transm Dis 34:598-603
Golden, Matthew R; Wood, Robert W; Buskin, Susan E et al. (2007) Ongoing risk behavior among persons with HIV in medical care. AIDS Behav 11:726-35
Menza, Timothy W; Colfax, Grant; Shoptaw, Stephen et al. (2007) Interest in a methamphetamine intervention among men who have sex with men. Sex Transm Dis 34:209-14
Golden, Matthew R; Gift, Thomas L; Brewer, Devon D et al. (2006) Peer referral for HIV case-finding among men who have sex with men. AIDS 20:1961-8
Stekler, Joanne; Collier, Ann C; Holmes, King K et al. (2006) Primary HIV infection education: knowledge and attitudes of HIV-negative men who have sex with men attending a public health sexually transmitted disease clinic. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 42:123-6

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