Behavioral contributions to acquisition of gonorrhea in patients attending an inner city sexually transmitted disease clinic.
To begin to define the behaviors that influence gonorrhea acquisition, a case-series of patients attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic was surveyed. Although gonorrhea rates were similar, men and women differed in sexual behaviors predictive of infection. Men with a new or casual partner were more likely to have gonorrhea than men with no such partners (adjusted odds ratio = 2.7); this finding did not hold true for women. Condom use in the previous month reduced the chances of gonorrhea acquisition for both men and women. More than 33% continued to engage in sexual activity after onset of symptoms or knowledge of sexually transmitted disease exposure. Individuals with repeated episodes of gonorrhea exhibited an array of risk-taking behaviors, such as intravenous drug use and casual sex partners. These data suggest the complex nature of the behaviors and sexual contexts within which gonorrhea acquisition occurs.
Upchurch
D M
DM
Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Brady
W E
WE
Reichart
C A
CA
Hook
E W
EW
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003275:Contraceptive Devices, Male; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000209:etiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners