Correlates of engaging in unprotected sex while experiencing dysuria or discharge: a study of men with confirmed gonorrhea.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the prevalence and correlates of engaging in unprotected sex while experiencing symptoms of gonorrhea among a sample of men with a laboratory confirmed diagnosis.


METHODS
Cross-sectional interview data were analyzed from 237 men, reporting dysuria or discharge, with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of gonorrhea.


RESULTS
A total of 21.1% reported engaging in unprotected sex while having symptoms. In multivariate analyses, men engaging in sex > or = 5 times in the past 30 days were 3.5 times more likely to report unprotected sex while symptomatic (P = 0.001). Men reporting condom use < or = 50% of the time (past month) were 2.7 times more likely to report the risk behavior under investigation (P = 0.008). Men never having a previous STD were 2.7 times more likely to engage in the risk behavior (P = 0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of this risk behavior was markedly lower compared to a recent study that was not restricted to gonorrhea. Counseling protocols specifically designed for men who continue to engage in unprotected sex after experiencing gonorrhea-related dysuria and discharge may be valuable for preventing the transmission of gonorrhea to women.
Crosby
Richard A
RA
Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral Sciences & Health Education, Atlanta, Georgia; Emory Center for AIDS Research, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. crosby@uky.edu
Liddon
Nicole
N
Martich
Frederick A
FA
Brewer
Toye
T
D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*