Associations between condom use and rectal or urethral chlamydia infection in men.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association of condom use with chlamydia infection in men attending a large sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Australia.


METHODS
Computerized records for all attendances between July 2002 and June 2003 were included and separate analyses were performed for men reporting male-to-male sexual contact (MSM) and for men reporting heterosexual contact only (non-MSM). Associations among age, condom use, and number of partners with chlamydia infection were assessed.


RESULTS
Chlamydia was diagnosed at a rate of 8.6 cases per 100 consultations (95%CI: 7.1, 10.3) among MSM and at a rate of 6.8 cases per 100 consultations (95%CI: 5.9, 7.8) among non-MSM. Condom use was associated with a lower odds of rectal chlamydia but not urethral infection in MSM. Condom use was associated with lower odds of urethral chlamydia among non-MSM.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that condoms do provide some protection against rectal chlamydia infection in MSM and chlamydial urethritis in non-MSM, but other factors may play an important role in the transmission of chlamydial urethritis in MSM.
Hocking
Jane
J
School of Population Health, University of Melbourne and Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. jhocking@unimelb.edu.au
Fairley
Christopher K
CK
D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D017280:Condoms; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D021841:Safe Sex; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology