Sh. Ebrahim et al., MORTALITY RELATED TO SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN US WOMEN, 1973 THROUGH 1992, American journal of public health, 87(6), 1997, pp. 938-944
Objectives. This study estimated the trends in mortality related to se
xually transmitted diseases (STDs) and their sequelae in US women from
1973 through 1992. Methods. The total number of deaths was obtained f
rom US national mortality data and from AIDS surveillance data, and cu
rrent literature was reviewed to estimate proportions of diseases attr
ibutable to sexual transmission. Results. From 1973 through 1984, tota
l STD-related deaths decreased 24%. However, from 1985 through 1992, S
TD-related deaths increased by 31%, primarily because of increasing nu
mbers of deaths from sexually transmitted human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) infection. The most important changes during the 20-year period
were the emergence of and continued increase in the number of deaths
related to heterosexually transmitted HIV. Conclusions. The leading ca
uses of STD-related mortality in women, viral STDs and their sequelae,
are generally not recognized as being sexually transmitted. Increases
in STD-related mortality are primarily due to sexually transmitted HI
V, which will soon surpass cervical cancer as the leading cause.