Cohort Information
2,625 women (2,056 HIV+; 569 HIV-) were enrolled in 1994/1995, including women previously diagnosed with clinical AIDS, or women with low CD4+ cell counts. In 2001/2002, an additional 1,143 women (254 HIV+ HAART-naïve; 484 HIV+ HAART-experienced; 406 HIV-) were enrolled into the WIHS.

WIHS participants have follow-up visits at six-month intervals. The interview includes surveillance on socio-demographic, medical, obstetric, gynecological and contraceptive history, as well as alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and sexual behaviors. The medical history includes an extensive medication inventory utilizing medication photographs that are updated regularly to include newly available therapies.

Interviewers are trained using standardized methods and WIHS Data Management and Analysis Center (WDMAC) staff performs periodic assessments of the quality of the interviews. In addition, plasma, serum, lymphocyte, tissue, genital secretion and urine samples are placed in a central repository (maintained by SeraCare, Inc.), and indicated tissues are placed in the AIDS Cancer Specimen Resource.

For more information, or to submit a concept, send an e-mail to the following address: wdmac@jhsph.edu