Richard A Crosby1, Nicole Liddon, Frederick A Martich, Toye Brewer. 1. Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral Sciences & Health Education, Atlanta, Georgia; Emory Center for AIDS Research, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. crosby@uky.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence and correlates of engaging in unprotected sex while experiencing symptoms of gonorrhea among a sample of men with a laboratory confirmed diagnosis. METHODS: Cross-sectional interview data were analyzed from 237 men, reporting dysuria or discharge, with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of gonorrhea. RESULTS: A total of 21.1% reported engaging in unprotected sex while having symptoms. In multivariate analyses, men engaging in sex > or = 5 times in the past 30 days were 3.5 times more likely to report unprotected sex while symptomatic (P = 0.001). Men reporting condom use < or = 50% of the time (past month) were 2.7 times more likely to report the risk behavior under investigation (P = 0.008). Men never having a previous STD were 2.7 times more likely to engage in the risk behavior (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of this risk behavior was markedly lower compared to a recent study that was not restricted to gonorrhea. Counseling protocols specifically designed for men who continue to engage in unprotected sex after experiencing gonorrhea-related dysuria and discharge may be valuable for preventing the transmission of gonorrhea to women.
OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence and correlates of engaging in unprotected sex while experiencing symptoms of gonorrhea among a sample of men with a laboratory confirmed diagnosis. METHODS: Cross-sectional interview data were analyzed from 237 men, reporting dysuria or discharge, with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of gonorrhea. RESULTS: A total of 21.1% reported engaging in unprotected sex while having symptoms. In multivariate analyses, men engaging in sex > or = 5 times in the past 30 days were 3.5 times more likely to report unprotected sex while symptomatic (P = 0.001). Men reporting condom use < or = 50% of the time (past month) were 2.7 times more likely to report the risk behavior under investigation (P = 0.008). Men never having a previous STD were 2.7 times more likely to engage in the risk behavior (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of this risk behavior was markedly lower compared to a recent study that was not restricted to gonorrhea. Counseling protocols specifically designed for men who continue to engage in unprotected sex after experiencing gonorrhea-related dysuria and discharge may be valuable for preventing the transmission of gonorrhea to women.
Authors: Jesse L Clark; Andres G Lescano; Kelika A Konda; Segundo R Leon; Franca R Jones; Jeffrey D Klausner; Thomas J Coates; Carlos F Caceres Journal: PLoS One Date: 2009-09-25 Impact factor: 3.240