Factors Associated With Sexually Transmitted Infections in Men and Women

Abstract

Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remains a serious healthcare problem costing approximately 13 billion dollars annually to treat. Men and women who contract STIs have a higher risk for reinfection and for developing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Determining the risk factors associated with STIs in a community would be helpful in designing culturally appropriate tailored interventions to reduce spread of STIs. Purpose The purpose of this retrospective chart review was to determine the frequency and type of STIs, as well as to determine the predictor variables associated with STIs among those seeking treatment at a local inner city health unit. Method A total of 237 medical records were reviewed from a STI clinic. The sample comprised 119 men and 118 women, of whom 70.9% were African American. The mean age was 27, and 38% had a prior STI. Men used significantly more condoms (χ2 = 24.28, p = 0.000), had more sexual partners (χ2 =18.36, p = 0.003), and had more prior infections of gonorrhea (χ2 = 10.04, p =0.002) than women. Women had significantly more prior infections of Chlamydia (χ2 = 11.74, p = 0.001). Using no type of birth control measures (pills, diaphragm, implants) was a significant predictor of number of sexual partners (t = 2.441, p < 0.015), but negatively associated with condom use (t = −12.290, p < 0.000). Conclusions Over one-third had a prior STI, indicating that individuals do not perceive themselves to be at risk for another STI, and choose not to use condoms. Reasons why individuals continue to put themselves at risk need to be explored in gender specific focus groups so that tailored sexual risk reduction programs can be designed to meet the needs of different communities.

Do Family and Parenting Factors in Adolescence Influence Condom Use in Early Adulthood in a Multiethnic Sample of Young Adults?

“…However, consistent with prior studies, we expect that such conversations will be more likely with daughters than sons. Also consistent with prior studies, we hypothesize that males will report more condom use than females (Abma and Sonnenstein 2001; Gullett et al 2009; Zimmerman et al 2007). Studies typically report that Latino adolescents use condoms less than white youth (Anderson et al 2006; Driscoll et al 2001; Espinosa-Hernandez and Lefkowiz 2009).…”

Sex inequalities in HIV-related practices in the Brazilian population aged 15 to 64 years old, 2008

“…Yet, controlled by other variables such as cohabiting status, being a male was a factor positively associated with consistent condom use with any type of partner. Similar gender differences were found in other surveys conducted in Brazil 17,18,19 , and also in surveys performed in other countries 20,21,22,23 . The gender differences described in this study may be partially explained by gender issues, including the different demeanors and practices related to the sexuality of men and women 24,25,26,27 .…”

Perceived risk of reinfection among individuals treated for sexually transmitted infections in Northern Ethiopia: implication for use in clinical practice

“…The way individuals perceive and respond to risk depends on the individual level of awareness and control of other influencing factors [ 11 ] and the extent to which it affects individuals health seeking behavior [ 12 , 13 ]. For instance, a facility based study revealed that more than a third of patients with prior STIs, do not perceive themselves as at risk for another STI, and choose not to use condoms [ 14 ]. Perceived risk of reinfection for STIs is an important indicator for the likelihood of preventive action to be taken by the patient.…”