title: Gender differences in health care-seeking behavior for sexually transmitted diseases: a population-based study in Nairobi, Kenya.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health care-seeking behavior for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is important in STD/HIV control.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to describe the proportion seeking care, patient delay, and choice of provider among men and women with STD-related complaints in Nairobi, Kenya.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based questionnaire was administered in 7 randomly selected clusters (small geographic areas covering approximately 150 households each).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 291 respondents reporting complaints, 20% of men versus 35% of women did not seek care, mainly because symptoms were not considered severe, symptoms had disappeared, or as a result of lack of money. Of those who sought care, women waited longer than men (41 vs. 16 days). Most men and women went to the private sector (72% and 57%, respectively), whereas the informal sector was rarely visited (13% and 16%, respectively). Relatively more women visited the government sector (28% vs. 15%). Because women were mostly monogamous, they did not relate their complaints to sexual intercourse, which hampered prompt care-seeking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women should be convinced to seek care promptly, eg, through health education in communities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands. h.voeten@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Hélène A C M
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Voeten
authors.forename: Hilda B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: O'hara
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kusimba
authors.forename: Julius M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Otido
authors.forename: Jeckoniah O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Ndinya-Achola
authors.forename: Job J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bwayo
authors.forename: Corlien M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Varkevisser
authors.forename: J Dik F
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Habbema
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires