Sexual behaviour and HIV prevalence in patients with sexually transmitted disease attending an STD clinic in north eastern state of India.

The study was done to determine the sexual risk behaviour and to monitor HIV seroprevalence among STD patients attending a STD clinic as a part of sentinel surveillance programme in North Eastern State of India. Face to face interviews, clinical and epidemiological investigations were carried out in all new patients. The frequency of condom use, and the number of sexual partners during the preceding 6 months were recorded. Out of 680 males, majority (66.4%) were aged 20-29 years. 89.2% men reported to have had sexual contacts with prostitutes. Being younger, single and staying away from home were independent risk factors for having sexual contact. 34.7% men used condom at all times, 27.2% reported inconsistent use and 38.1% did not use condoms. Eleven (1.6%) of the 680 STD patients tested were found to be HIV positive, did not use condom and had genitoulcerative disease.