BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studies addressing how past experience with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) influence health-seeking behaviors among at-risk men are few. GOAL: The goal of this study was to determine whether health-seeking behaviors among men diagnosed with urethritis differ based on whether they report prior urethritis. STUDY DESIGN: Male STD clinic attendees answered a questionnaire regarding their demographic, sexual, and health-seeking characteristics. The men were stratified based on whether they reported prior urethritis. RESULTS: Of 466 men, 297 reported prior urethritis. Symptomatic men diagnosed with urethritis who reported prior urethritis did not recognize their symptoms as a possible STD earlier than those reporting no urethritis history; there was also no difference between the groups in their interval to presenting for care once symptoms were recognized as a possible STD. Furthermore, men with prior urethritis were as likely to engage in sex acts once they recognized their symptoms as a possible STD manifestation. CONCLUSION: Compared with men without prior urethritis, men with urethritis symptoms who reported prior urethritis did not recognize symptoms earlier, alter health-seeking behavior, or curtail sexual activity.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studies addressing how past experience with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) influence health-seeking behaviors among at-risk men are few. GOAL: The goal of this study was to determine whether health-seeking behaviors among men diagnosed with urethritis differ based on whether they report prior urethritis. STUDY DESIGN: Male STD clinic attendees answered a questionnaire regarding their demographic, sexual, and health-seeking characteristics. The men were stratified based on whether they reported prior urethritis. RESULTS: Of 466 men, 297 reported prior urethritis. Symptomatic men diagnosed with urethritis who reported prior urethritis did not recognize their symptoms as a possible STD earlier than those reporting no urethritis history; there was also no difference between the groups in their interval to presenting for care once symptoms were recognized as a possible STD. Furthermore, men with prior urethritis were as likely to engage in sex acts once they recognized their symptoms as a possible STD manifestation. CONCLUSION: Compared with men without prior urethritis, men with urethritis symptoms who reported prior urethritis did not recognize symptoms earlier, alter health-seeking behavior, or curtail sexual activity.