The prevalence of urethral infections amongst asymptomatic young men in Hat Yai, southern Thailand

The aim of this study was to survey sexual behaviour and estimate the preva lence of urethral infections amongst male vocational college students. A cr oss-sectional survey was performed among 479 young men attending 2 vocation al colleges in Hat Yai, southern Thailand. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests of first-void urine (FVU) samples were used to detect infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycop lasma genitalium and Mycoplasma hominis. Girlfriends were the usual sexual partners for 89% of men with only 11% regularly patronizing sex workers. Co ndom usage was low. The prevalence of any urethral infection was 15.9% with : C. trachomatis 4%, N. gonorrhoeae 0.2%, U. urealyticum 10.9%, M. genitali um 2.3% and M. hominis 1.3%. Infection with more than one organism was foun d in 2% of men. While the prevalence of infection with chlamydia or gonorrh oea was relatively low, the prevalence of 'any urethral infection' was mode rately high and suggests that unprotected sexual intercourse is commonly oc curring. As girlfriends were the most usual sexual partners, they must be a t significant risk of pelvic infection. There is a need for programmes targ eting this group of people.