title: Sexually transmitted diseases and sexual behavior in men attending an outpatients' clinic for gay men in Gothenburg, Sweden.
abstract: The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) diagnosed in men attending an outpatients' clinic for gay men from 1983 to 1997 and the results from a questionnaire survey concerning sexual behaviour conducted in 1994-96 are reported. The prevalence of gonorrhoea and chlamydia has decreased during the period, although in 1997 there was a micro-epidemic of gonorrhoea in gay men in Gothenburg. The results indicate that the reservoir of syphilis and hepatitis B in the gay population was eradicated during the early 1980s. Of altogether 1,808 HIV tests performed, 3.0% (n=55) were positive. In the questionnaire, the majority claimed they had sufficient knowledge on how HIV is transmitted, while 11.3% stated that they lacked that knowledge. Half of the patients stated that they had a steady sexual partner. Starting a new relationship was the most common reason (69%) for HIV screening. The use of condoms in anal and oral sex was 88% and 31%, respectively. Of those practising anal sex, 4% stated that they never used a condom. The prevalence of STDs has decreased in this period of time and safer sex is fairly well accepted, but the results also tell us that there is still a need for dedicated clinics like ours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Diakonhjemmets' Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Löwhagen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population