title: The prevalence of urethral infections amongst asymptomatic young men in Hat Yai, southern Thailand.
abstract: The aim of this study was to survey sexual behaviour and estimate the prevalence of urethral infections amongst male vocational college students. A cross-sectional survey was performed among 479 young men attending 2 vocational colleges in Hat Yai, southern Thailand. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests of first-void urine (FVU) samples were used to detect infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma hominis. Girlfriends were the usual sexual partners for 89% of men with only 11% regularly patronizing sex workers. Condom usage was low. The prevalence of any urethral infection was 15.9% with: C. trachomatis 4%, N. gonorrhoeae 0.2%, U. urealyticum 10.9%, M. genitalium 2.3% and M. hominis 1.3%. Infection with more than one organism was found in 2% of men. While the prevalence of infection with chlamydia or gonorrhoea was relatively low, the prevalence of 'any urethral infection' was moderately high and suggests that unprotected sexual intercourse is commonly occurring. As girlfriends were the most usual sexual partners, they must be at significant risk of pelvic infection. There is a need for programmes targeting this group of people.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty-of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chandeying
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skov
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duramad
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Makepeace
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Khunigij
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D016990:Ureaplasma urealyticum; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: C021443:leukocyte esterase; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases