Gonorrhea in male adolescents and young adults in Newark, New Jersey - Implications of risk factors and patient preferences for prevention strategies

Background: Although the national rate of gonorrhea declined 68% from 1975 to 1995, rates remain high in many inner-city areas. In 1995, the gonorrhea rate in Newark, NJ, was five times the US rate. Objective: To determine factors associated with acquisition of gonorrhea by men in Newark. Study Design: A case-control study conducted at the sexually transmitted di sease (STD) clinic in Newark, comparing males 15 to 29 years with culture-c onfirmed gonorrhea to controls with no STD. Results: Compared with controls, males with gonorrhea more frequently repor ted at least 1 casual sex partner within the preceding month (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.2; 95% CI, 1.8-5.7), sex after using marijuana during the pr eceding month (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.3), and a history of incarceration (O R, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.7). Of males with casual partners, having a new casua l sexual relationship (onset within the past month) was particularly risky for gonorrhea (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.2-12.7). Incorrect condom use was highly prevalent for both eases and controls, Many persons with gonorrhea reported that they were not willing to consistently use condoms or to have only one partner. Conclusions: Sex with casual partners is associated with gonorrhea in males , and may be a difficult practice to change. Condoms are often used incorre ctly, if at all, in this population. Prevention strategies, in addition to the promotion of condom use and monogamy, may be necessary.