Frequency of sexually transmitted diseases among university students.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the incidence rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among university students and evaluate the associated sociodemographic factors.


METHODS
Mail survey in April 1990. Included in the questionnaire were questions about the subjects' STD experience since their admission to the university and the type and date of the infection.


METHODS
Of the 19,682 undergraduate students 2920 subjects, in 10 groups of 292, were randomly selected. A total of 1731 (59.4%) completed the questionnaire.


METHODS
Estimated annualized incidence rates of genital human papillomavirus infection and Chlamydia infection.


RESULTS
The estimated annualized incidence rates of genital human papillomavirus and Chlamydia infections were 2.2% and 1.5% respectively. Among the students who indicated being infected with genital human papillomavirus 59% were 18 to 21 years old (p < 0.05), 76% were women (p < 0.01) and 69% had more than one sexual partner (p < 0.01). No statistically significant associations were observed between age, sex and Chlamydia infection. On the other hand, 95% of the cases of Chlamydia infection were found among those who had more than one sexual partner (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
University students continue to have sexual activities at risk for STDs and should be specifically targetted by general practitioners and health services in an effort to slow the spread of STDs.
Naccache
H
H
Centre de santé publique de Québec, René-Levesque, Sainte-Foy.
Manhes
G
G
Fortin
C
C
Nadeau
D
D
Duval
B
B
Godin
G
G
Boyer
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D011792:Quebec; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014495:Universities