Trends in risk behaviors and sexually transmitted infections among youth presenting to a sexually transmitted infection clinic in the United States, 2013–2017

Abstract

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasing among adolescents and young adults (AYA) across the United States. However, data are scarce on trends in condom use, number of partners, and other STI risk factors among AYA. The present study evaluated associations between sexual behaviors and STI diagnoses over time among AYA. Methods: We evaluated linked encounters of AYA aged 13–26 attending an urban Northeast public STI clinic from 2013–2017. Demographics, risk behaviors, self-reported past year and lifetime STI, and STI diagnosis during clinic encounter (positive test for urine, oral, or anal chlamydia; urine, oral, or anal gonorrhea; urine trichomonas; HIV; and syphilis) were extracted from electronic health records. We estimated prevalence and performed trend analyses of the repeated cross-sectional data. Cochran–Armitage and Kruskal–Wallis trend test were conducted for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Results: Among 3822 encounters, clinical STIs demonstrated statistically significant increases including chlamydia (+9%, p = 0.001), gonorrhea (+5%, p = 0.008), and syphilis (+3%, p = 0.006) all of which significantly increased over time, as did any STI (+10%, p < 0.001). HIV and trichomonas rates remained low and unchanged. Self-reported STI increased as well, both past year (+9%) and lifetime (+14%). Greater proportions of AYA reported multiple partners (+9%, p < 0.001), and condomless oral (+12%, p = 0.001) and vaginal/anal (+7%, p = 0.001) sex. Conclusion: Among AYA presenting to a STI clinic, the proportion who engaged in condomless sex and had multiple partners increased over a 5 year period, which corresponded to increased STI prevalence during this period. Preventions efforts for AYA should continue to emphasize the importance of condoms and partner selection.

The Role and Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Addressing Sexually Transmitted Infections, Nonvenereal Genital Diseases, Sexual Health, and Wellness

“…Paradoxically, sexual activity is declining in the USA, yet riskier behaviors like reduced condom use, increased oral and anal sex, opioid and other drug use, and other unsafe practices, especially among antiretroviral prophylaxis users and Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSMs), are on the rise. [ 10 11 12 13 14 ] Perception of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as not being a fatal disease but a chronic manageable condition has contributed to it. [ 15 ] The digital age has significantly reshaped societal and behavioral norms through social media, online chat rooms, and dating apps.…”

Incremento en la prevalencia de las ITS y las conductas de riesgo de los alumnos de la Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista, 2017

“…El uso de condones sigue siendo una parte clave del conjunto recomendado de estrategias de prevención de ITS en jóvenes, y se ha demostrado que su uso al inicio de las relaciones sexuales predice el uso futuro. Sin embargo, datos recientes sugieren que el uso de condones está disminuyendo entre los estudiantes de secundaria (41).…”