title: Previous history of gonococcal infection as a risk factor in patients presenting with gonorrhoea.
abstract: Recidivism is common in patients infected with gonorrhoea. Identifying the factors most closely associated with recurrent gonococcal infection can help to target health promotion and disease prevention interventions. A case-control study design was used to quantify the importance of past infection as a risk marker for gonorrhoea while controlling for other demographic and behavioural factors. Data were available for 134 cases of gonorrhoea and 150 controls. A history of gonorrhoea (odds ratio [OR] 4.36 [95% CI 1.78-10.71]) was the strongest predictor of current infection. The number of partners in the last month (OR 2.19 [95% CI 1.20-4.02]) was also significantly associated with a diagnosis of gonorrhoea. Patients presenting with gonorrhoea are a specific high-risk group who require additional interventions and should be prioritized for evidence-based, enhanced and interactive counselling.
authors.affiliation: Health Protection Agency, West Midlands East, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caley
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Johal
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: J D C
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners