Sexual Behavior and Sexually Transmitted Infections: Case Management in a Specialized Center 2000-2018

There is a notable increase in sexual behaviors closely related to the increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, which is a problem that affects public health. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between sexual behaviors and the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in the population who attended the Centre for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexual Orientation of the province of Granada during the period 2000-2018.

This is a cross-sectional study, with 1671 clinical histories of subjects who attended a specialized center between 2000 and 2018 for a consultation related to sexually transmitted infections. Sociodemographic and clinical data, frequency and type of sexual behavior, frequency of condom use, and positive or negative diagnosis of infection were collected. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed. The dependent variable was the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections. As independent variables, variables classified as socio-demographic, medical, and other variables conceived as possible risk factors were collected.

The results indicated that vaginal intercourse was the most frequent sexual activity during the entire period and that condom use was also the most common. Positive sexually transmitted infection diagnosis was related to anal sex: penis-anal (penetrative anal intercourse) (p = 0.033) and anal-penis (receptive anal intercourse) (p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis only showed association with receptive anal intercourse sexual behaviors.

The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in the population attending a specialized center is related to the behavior of anal sex in passive subjects (receptive anal intercourse). An increase in oral sex behavior and almost no practice of use of condom in oral sex has been observed. There is a need to respond to sexual diversity and variability of sexual behavior.