RISK-FACTORS FOR SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASE IN HARARE - A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Objective: To obtain information on risk factors and health-seeking be havior of men with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) attending prim ary care clinics, Study Design: Unmatched case-control. Methods: Cases consisted of 256 consecutive men,vith genital ulcer disease (GUD) and 256 with other STDs. Control subjects (N = 256) were recruited from e very third man with non-STD-related complaints. All subjects were at l east 15 years of age. A structured questionnaire was administered, Res ults: Genital ulcer disease cases reported more frequent sexual interc ourse with a commercial sex worker (odds ratio [OR] = 17.4; 95% confid ence intervals [CI] = 7.8-40.0) and a recent new sexual contact (OR = 6.7; CI = 3.3-14.1), Similarly, STD cases reported more frequent sexua l contact with a commercial sex worker (OR = 3.4; CI = 2.0-5.6) and a recent new sexual contact (OR = 7.9; CI = 3.9-16.3). Reported condom u se was less than 30% with all partner types. Of all STD cases, 80% sou ght treatment at the primary care clinics, with 35% delaying more than 7 days before seeking treatment, Conclusions: Culturally appropriate behavioral educational programs are advocated to reduce the risk of tr ansmission and the period for seeking treatment for all STDs.