title: Sexual behaviour, condom use and rates of sexually transmitted infections in HIV clinic attendees in South East London.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine sexual behaviour, condom use and rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among attendees at a dedicated on-site STI clinic at a South London HIV centre. Data were prospectively collected by using a nurse-completed questionnaire. Ninety-eight percent of women reported one or no sexual partners in the preceding three months, whereas 57% of men who have sex with men (MSM) reported two or more partners. Only 28% of women, 53% of heterosexual men and 29% of MSM always used a condom for vaginal or anal intercourse. Positive STI diagnoses were found in 17.5% of women, 20% of heterosexual men and 49% of MSM. Twenty percent of patients who reported always using a condom and 38% of MSM reporting no sexual activity in the preceding three months had an STI. These results highlight the need for safe sex promotion and STI screening in HIV-infected patients regardless of self-reported sexual activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sexual Health and HIV Medicine, Kings College Hospital, London, UK. liz_hamlyn@yahoo.com
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hamlyn
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Welz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rebaudengo
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Simms
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poulton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020010:Heterosexuality; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires