A DESCRIPTION OF THE GENDER DIFFERENCES IN RISK BEHAVIORS IN YOUNG-ADULTS WITH GENITAL HERPES

The purpose of this paper is to describe gender differences in risk be haviors-substance use and sexual behavior-in young adults with genital herpes. Two-hundred fifty-two young adults with genital herpes were r ecruited into the study via newspaper advertisements in a West Coast m etropolitan area. As a part of a large randomized clinical trial, part icipants completed questionnaires measuring demographic characteristic s and the risk behaviors of substance use and sexual behavior. Partici pants had a mean age of 27.1 years and were largely Caucasian, employe d, college-educated, and heterosexual. Women were two years younger th an men and had less income. Gender differences were found in both subs tance use and sexual behavior. Men were more likely to report current use of illicit drugs than were women. Men were also more likely to rep ort a history of gonorrhea, and urethral discharge. Women reported ini tiating sex at an older age and having fewer sexual partners over thei r lifetimes than men. There were no gender differences in use of condo ms or spermicides specifically to prevent transmission of genital herp es. Further study is needed of these young adults as they are at high risk for transmission of the disease and also for contracting other se xually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) infection. Sensitive interventions are needed with this hi gh-risk population.