SUSCEPTIBILITY TO VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES IN A SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASE CLINIC POPULATION

Background and Objective: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics o ften serve a population that has low medical care utilization. The obj ective of this study was to determine the susceptibility of an STD cli nic population to vaccine-preventable diseases. Study Design: A cross- sectional study of immunization practices and susceptibility to vaccin e-preventable diseases was undertaken by enrolling consecutive patient s attending an STD clinic. Demographic information and a history of di sease or immunization was assessed by interview. Immunity to measles a nd rubella was determined by measuring IgG antibodies by ELISA assays. Results: Of the 288 patients evaluated, the mean age was 28 years and 70.5% were male. Serologically, 16.3% were susceptible to rubella and 8% to measles. Only 8% reported hepatitis B immunization. Although me asles protection was high, nearly one in six was susceptible to rubell a. Hepatitis B immunization was severely underused. Conclusion: Baltim ore STD clinic patients may benefit from an enhanced rubella and hepat itis B prevention strategy.