Sexual behaviour, condom use and rates of sexually transmitted infections in HIV clinic attendees in South East London

Int J STD AIDS. 2009 Nov;20(11):757-60. doi: 10.1258/ijsa.2009.009019. Epub 2009 Sep 16.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine sexual behaviour, condom use and rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among attendees at a dedicated on-site STI clinic at a South London HIV centre. Data were prospectively collected by using a nurse-completed questionnaire. Ninety-eight percent of women reported one or no sexual partners in the preceding three months, whereas 57% of men who have sex with men (MSM) reported two or more partners. Only 28% of women, 53% of heterosexual men and 29% of MSM always used a condom for vaginal or anal intercourse. Positive STI diagnoses were found in 17.5% of women, 20% of heterosexual men and 49% of MSM. Twenty percent of patients who reported always using a condom and 38% of MSM reporting no sexual activity in the preceding three months had an STI. These results highlight the need for safe sex promotion and STI screening in HIV-infected patients regardless of self-reported sexual activity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • Heterosexuality
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • London / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Safe Sex / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sexual Partners
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires