Self-reported sexual activity and condom use among symptomatic clients attending STD clinics.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A cross-sectional survey of sexually transmitted disease (STD) patients assessed sexual activity and condom use during the time between STD symptom onset and clinic attendance. STUDY DESIGN: Patients were asked to report sexual activity and condom use while STD symptoms were present. Medical records were abstracted for diagnoses. RESULTS: The study population (n = 3025) was predominately African American (75.3%) and male (63.5%), with a mean age of 28.1 years. Sexual activity while experiencing STD symptoms was reported by 39.7% of 2,508 symptomatic patients, 17.2% of whom reported always using a condom. Logistic regression models identified the significant independent determinants of sexual intercourse while symptomatic were duration of symptoms before clinic visit [0-7 days versus 8 or more days, OR = 5.9]; race [African American versus other races (primarily Hispanics), OR = 2.1]; and gender [men versus women, OR = 1.5]. Older age [> or = 30 years versus 18-29 years, OR = 1.5] and higher education attainment [> or = high school versus > high school, OR = 1.5] were the significant factors associated with reporting always using a condom. CONCLUSION: These data suggest patient groups with behaviors likely to enhance STD transmission could be targeted for educational messages.

PIP: Patients seen at 10 public health sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in Baltimore, MD; Birmingham, AL; Chicago, IL; Durham, NC; New Orleans, LA; Raleigh, NC; and San Diego, CA, from August 1993 through June 1994 were asked to participate in a cross-sectional survey assessing sexual activity and condom use during the time between STD symptom onset and clinic attendance. Patients were asked to report sexual activity and condom use while STD symptoms were present. The sample of 3025 study participants was 75.3% African-American and 63.5% male, aged 18-73 years, of mean age 28.1 years. Sexual activity while experiencing STD symptoms was reported by 39.7% of 2508 symptomatic patients, of whom 17.2% reported always using a condom. Multivariate logistic regression found that factors associated with sexual activity while symptomatic include duration of symptoms for 7 or fewer days, being Black, and being male. In addition, such regression found that symptomatic patients who always used condoms were more likely to be aged 30 years or older, and to have at least a high school education.

Self-treatment patterns among clients attending sexually transmitted disease clinics and the effects of self-treatment on STD symptom duration. The Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To assess patterns of self-treatment and its effects on the duration of sexually transmitted disease (STD) symptoms before medical care. METHODS: A cross-sectional interview survey in public STD clinics (7 U.S. cities). Patients, seeking treatment for STD symptoms or having a known infected sexual contact, reported self-treatment behaviors and symptom duration. Additional data were abstracted from medical charts. RESULTS: Self-treatment, primarily over-the-counter topical medications (54.8%), was reported by 21.8% of 2,508 symptomatic patients. Self-treaters were significantly more likely to be African-American (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8), female (OR = 1.7), over age 30 (OR = 1.3), report > 1 symptom (OR = 1.4), and report a genital lesion (OR = 2.1). Symptom duration was 2 days longer among self-treaters (p < 0.01). African-Americans (OR = 1.5), men (OR = 1.2), and self-treaters of symptoms other than genital lesions (OR = 1.4) had a significantly longer time from symptom onset to receiving medical care. CONCLUSIONS: Self-treatment is common among patients with STDs. Self-treatment of a genital lesion, unlike certain demographic factors and self-treatment of other STD symptoms, did not prolong the time to medical treatment.