[Sexually transmissible disorders in allochtonous population groups; a pilot study]

In the registration of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) carried out by the nursing staff in the STD clinics the share of the immigrant populations of Turkish, Moroccan, Surinam and Antilles origin was investigated for the period 1986-89. In the total population of STD patients the immigrants appear to be overrepresented. Their share has increased from one-eight to one-fifth of the total number of STD cases. The STD rates (number of cases per 1000) for the Turkish and Moroccan populations are high, even after adjusting for population size and age. High STD rates are most apparent among males, especially among Turkish males. In comparison with the Dutch population more gonorrhoea is found among immigrants, in particular penicillinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG). Turkish males (and prostitutes) contributed much to this relatively high prevalence. Further research is to be initiated in order to obtain better insight into the occurrence of STD among immigrant populations in The Netherlands, especially in connection with a potentially increased risk of infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).