Epidemiologic determinants of herpes genitalis case detection rates among STD clinic attendees.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: to report significant sociodemographic and behavioural outpatient characteristics in Greeks and foreign immigrants associated with the diagnosis of symptomatic herpes genitalis. METHODS: A cross sectional hospital-based study (1990-96). RESULTS: In the context of an STD reference population (n = 5,831), herpes genitalis (n = 831) represents the second leading sexually transmitted disease (14.2%), more often affecting Greek outpatients. Immigrant women were found five times more infected than Greek. In Greek heterosexuals low partner change rate was the main characteristic at the moment of health seeking behaviour (median: 1 partner in the past six months). Homo/bisexual orientation in males resulted in lower detection rate. Injecting drug use history was not associated with an increased relative incidence. CONCLUSIONS: low risk behaviour in heterosexuals constitutes a background for further preventive interventions to reduce complications.

Determinants of genital wart case detection rates among STD clinic attendees in Athens, Greece.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report significant sociodemographic and behavioral outpatient characteristics associated with the diagnosis of genital warts. METHODS: Cross-sectional hospital-based study (1990-96). RESULTS: Genital warts (n = 2988, 51.2%) represent the leading sexually transmitted disease (STD) among 5831 consecutive symptomatic Greek and foreign immigrant STD outpatients. In Greek heterosexuals a low rate of partner change was the main patient characteristic at diagnosis (median: one partner in the past 6 months). Lower detection rate and riskier behavior characterized immigrants. Although associated with risky behavior, homo/bisexual orientation in males and injecting drug use were not significantly associated with condyloma diagnosis in the context of STDs. CONCLUSION: Broader health education and secondary prevention are needed to control this infection, whereas low-risk behavior in Greek heterosexuals with condylomata facilitates further preventive interventions.

Incidence determinants of gonorrhea, chlamydial genital infection, syphilis and chancroid in attendees at a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Athens, Greece.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the specific impact on the incidence rate of some demographic and behavioral characteristics in outpatients with four bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional hospital outpatient-based study was conducted from 1990 to 1996 on 1064 consecutive symptomatic STD cases (Chlamydia trachomatis, n = 375; gonorrhea, n = 369; early symptomatic syphilis, n = 288, and chancroid, n = 32) using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: In a reference STD population of 5831 symptomatic outpatients, the relative incidence of gonorrhea, syphilis and chancroid was found to be increased among immigrants. Low educational/socioeconomic level was also a significant incidence predictor. Older age characterized homo/bisexuals. The chlamydial infection detection rate was not affected by nationality, injecting drug use history or sexual orientation in males. CONCLUSION: Innovative preventive and control strategies are needed among immigrants, older men having sex with men and injecting drug users, apart from those targeting the general population.