title: Sexual habits and clinico-etiological profile of sexually transmitted diseases in Nepal.
abstract: A total of 100 patients giving histories suggestive of sexually transmitted disease (STDs) and attending the dermatology OPD at BPKIHS (B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences) in Nepal over a period of one year from 1st July 1999 to 30th June 2000 were included in this study. Out of 10,400 new dermatology cases, a total of 100 cases (0.96%) of STDs were seen. Of these 73 were males, and the majority (53%) were in the age group of 21-30 years. Most of the patients were from Sunsari district (54%). The most common profession (21%) was businessman followed by housewife (19%). The most common age for first sexual contact was 16 to 19 years (45%). Eleven percent had their first sexual contact at the age of 15 or below 15 years. Premarital sexual exposure was recorded in 17% of the unmarried males. There were only 3 homosexuals and 1 bisexual patient. Multiple contacts were recorded in 55% of the patients. The most common source of contact was a commercial sex worker in 34.15%. Condoms were always used by only 7%. The various types of sexually trasmitted diseases (STDs) were syphilis (31%) followed by condylomata acuminata (16%), herpes genitalis (15%), gonorrhoea (9%), and mixed infections (12%). Despite their varied sexual behavior, none of the patients were HIV positive; however, it is always advisable to screen all STD patients for HIV antibody.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology and B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agarwalla
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deb
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Khanal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology