Epidemiologic determinants of herpes genitalis case detection rates among STD clinic attendees.
OBJECTIVE
to report significant sociodemographic and behavioural outpatient characteristics in Greeks and foreign immigrants associated with the diagnosis of symptomatic herpes genitalis.


METHODS
A cross sectional hospital-based study (1990-96).


RESULTS
In the context of an STD reference population (n = 5,831), herpes genitalis (n = 831) represents the second leading sexually transmitted disease (14.2%), more often affecting Greek outpatients. Immigrant women were found five times more infected than Greek. In Greek heterosexuals low partner change rate was the main characteristic at the moment of health seeking behaviour (median: 1 partner in the past six months). Homo/bisexual orientation in males resulted in lower detection rate. Injecting drug use history was not associated with an increased relative incidence.


CONCLUSIONS
low risk behaviour in heterosexuals constitutes a background for further preventive interventions to reduce complications.
Kyriakis
Kyriakos P
KP
University of Athens, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, "Andreas Sygros" Hospital, Reference Laboratory of STD and AIDS, Dragoumi 5, Kesariani, 16121 Athens, Greece. fountoul@compulink.gr
Hadjivassiliou
Maria
M
Papadogeorgaki
Helen
H
Paparizos
Vassilios A
VA
Katsambas
Andreas
A
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior