title: Risk behaviours and prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae genital infections among Montreal street youth.
abstract: We estimated the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae genital tract infections among 302 Montreal street youth (223 boys) and identified associated risk factors. Study participants, 14-25 years old (average 20.9 years), meeting specific criteria for homelessness, were recruited in street youth agencies. Participation included a structured interview and provision of a urine specimen. Among sexually active youth, (n = 300) 30.0% had more than five heterosexual partners and 13.0% had at least one homosexual partner (last year), 10.7% had received money in exchange for sex (last six months) and 47.0% reported sexual relations resulting in pregnancy (lifetime). Among all youths, 82.1% had used at least one type of illicit drug, and 30.1% injected drugs at least once (last six months). The prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was 6.6% (95% CI 4.1-10.0%). Prevalence did not vary significantly by sex, age or any other variable, except history of pregnancy (10.4% among youth with history of pregnancy vs 3.6% among others, P = 0.02). No cases of N. gonorrhoeae infection were found.
authors.affiliation: Montreal Regional Public Health Department, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Quebec, Canada. nhaley@santepub-mtl.qc.ca
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Haley
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leclerc
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Boivin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cédras
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vincelette
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking