Fall 1998            Volume 2, Issue 4

WIHS II

is due again.  The visit 10 follow-up begins April 1, 1999, and ends September 30, 1999.
Many of you know that the WIHS substudies come and go.  Some of them, like the Women's Interview Study, are only a one-time event.  Others, like the dental study, have follow-up visits every six months.  One substudy that has ended is the DATRI study.  We will try to keep you posted as to when new studies begin and existing studies end by writing updates for you in the WIHS Woman Newsletter.  We will also let you know the research findings from these studies through WIHS Woman Newsletter articles and community educational forums.

You, the participants, have been very loyal and respond to changes in the WIHS with great ease and confidence.  All of the WIHS project staff really appreciate your continued participation and your excellent ability to change with us.

Thank you very much and we look forward to seeing all of you at visit-9!

by Nancy Hessol, WIHS Project Director

s we continue into the second funding cycle of the WIHS (WIHS II), several important changes are underway.  Here is a brief description of what we have planned.

Starting this past summer we are asking all women in the WIHS to sign a new consent form for their renewed participation in this study.

Beginning October 1, 1998, all women will get a visit-9 study interview and examination using updated study procedures.  We have removed some questions and added others to keep up with the research goals of the study.  Women will be scheduled for their visit-9 follow-up during the six month period from 10/1/98-3/31/99.  Each woman has up to 10 weeks during this period to successfully complete her visit-9 interview, exam, and blood draw.  If a participant does not have her study visit during that 10-week interval, then she will need to wait another six months until she

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  WIHS II   page 1
  CAB Corner   page 2
  COMPLIANCE   page 3
  The WIHS Anal HPV Study   page 4
  Here's What You Had to Say   page 5
  New Viral Load Assays   page 8
  WIHS Clinically Relevant Lab Tests   page 10