title: [Screening of sexually transmitted diseases in clinical and non-clinical settings in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil].
abstract: The objectives were to study: (1) acceptance of STD screening in non-clinical settings for asymptomatic individuals; (2) risk factors and STD prevalence among individuals in non-clinical and clinical settings; and (3) non-clinical screening of asymptomatic populations as a feasible method for STD control. We recruited 139 males and 486 females between 18 and 30 years of age from a family planning clinic, schools, and community centers in low-income neighborhoods. We asked about STD symptoms and STD/HIV risk behaviors and tested the individuals for gonorrhea, Chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. Except for HIV, women recruited directly from the community had higher STD rates than those who came in for care at the clinic. Screening in non-clinical settings in Brazil is feasible and has a high yield among young adults in low-income communities. Infected participants would likely never have otherwise sought care or been tested or treated. STD control efforts could be implemented in any site that can reach populations at risk and become a routine procedure in health care settings where people report for problems unrelated to STDs.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Human Reproduction, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Estácio Gonzaga 640, Salvador, Bahia 40295-020, Brazil. josecods@uol.com.br
authors.forename: José Santiago
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: de Codes
authors.forename: Deborah Ann
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Neli Almeida
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: de Melo
authors.forename: Guilherme Gonzaga
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Alexandre dos Santos
authors.initials: Ados S
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.forename: Tiago de Jesus
authors.initials: Tde J
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Miucha Pereira Rios
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012107:Research Design; D012308:Risk Management; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control