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Characterizing patients with multiple sexually acquired infections: a multivariate analysis
M R Pakianathan1, J D Ross, A McMillan
1Department of GUM, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, UK.
Insights
Multiple sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are common in Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic attendees. Lower socioeconomic status and younger age increase the risk of co-infections, guiding targeted public health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) frequently co-occur, necessitating comprehensive screening.
- Limited data exist on the specific risk factors associated with multiple concurrent STDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and risk factors for multiple concurrent STDs among attendees of a Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic.
- To identify demographic and behavioral factors associated with co-infections.
Main Methods:
- A multivariate logistic regression model was used to compare patients with multiple STDs against a control group with solitary STDs.
- Data were collected from 9265 GUM clinic attendees between 1990 and 1994.
- Factors analyzed included year of attendance, social class, infection acquisition location, sex, sexual orientation, and age.
Main Results:
- 680 out of 9265 patients (7.3%) presented with more than one concurrent STD.
- Individuals from lower socioeconomic classes had a significantly higher risk of multiple STDs.
- Older individuals were found to be at a lower risk for multiple concurrent STDs.
Conclusions:
- Multiple sexually acquired infections are a common occurrence in GUM clinic populations.
- Socioeconomic status and age are significant predictors of multiple STD risk.
- Identifying high-risk populations can help direct interventions to reduce the burden of all STDs.
Abstract:
It has long been recognized that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may occur concurrently hence necessitating screening in individuals attending Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics. However there are few data on individuals with more than one concurrent STD. Individuals attending the GUM Department in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh between 1990 and 1994 with the diagnosis of HIV infection, genital warts, genital herpes, non-specific genital infection (NSGI), gonorrhoea and syphilis were included in the study. A multivariate comparison was made between those presenting with multiple concurrent STDs and a control group comprising individuals with a solitary STD with respect to year of attendance, social class, location of acquisition of infection, sex, sexual orientation and age using a logistic regression model. A total of 680 of 9265 patients in the study period had more than one concurrent STD. Individuals in lower socio-economic class were at higher risk and older individuals at lower risk of multiple concurrent STDs. Multiple sexually acquired infections are common in individuals who attend GUM clinics. Age and socio-economic class were the only significant variables. Identification of populations at highest risk for multiple infection can direct interventions against all STDs.