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Can we predict who will return to a genitourinary clinic?
M K Pitts1, S Cannon, I Johnson
1Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, Vic 3000, Australia. m.pitts@latrobe.edu.au
International Journal of STD & AIDS
|May 23, 2001
Summary
Nineteen percent of new patients at genitourinary clinics returned with a new infection within two years. Prior general practitioner visits were linked to higher re-attendance rates for genitourinary infections.
Area of Science:
- Genitourinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Genitourinary (GU) clinics manage sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other GU conditions.
- Understanding patient re-attendance is crucial for effective STI control and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the rate of re-attendance among first-time genitourinary clinic attendees.
- To identify factors associated with re-attendance for new infections.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 188 first-time genitourinary clinic attendees was prospectively monitored.
- Data collected included demographics, sexual history, psychological variables, and prior healthcare consultations.
- Re-attendance with a new infection within two years was the primary outcome.
Main Results:
- Nineteen percent (36/188) of patients returned within two years with a new infection.
- Re-attenders did not significantly differ in age, gender, occupation, sexual history, or psychological factors.
- Re-attenders were significantly more likely to have consulted their general practitioner (GP) in the preceding six months.
Conclusions:
- A notable proportion of genitourinary clinic patients re-attend with new infections.
- Consulting a GP before the first GU clinic visit may indicate a higher risk of re-attendance.
- Further research into the reasons for GP consultation and its link to re-attendance is warranted.