THE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN RISK BEHAVIOR AND REPORTED HISTORY OF SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES, AMONG YOUNG-WOMEN - A POPULATION-BASED STUDY

The aim of this study was to determine the associations between risk b ehaviour and women's reported sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Al l the women aged 19, 21, 23 and 25, residing in a specified housing ar ea, were invited to answer a questionnaire regarding their sexual beha viour, smoking and alcohol consumption and previous history of STD. Of the 611 women participating, one out of 4 women had a history of at l east one STD. Ln an univariate analysis, self-reported STD was found t o be related to age, having more than 4 lifetime sexual partners, havi ng practised intercourse at first date, inconsistent use of condoms, a lcohol consumption of more than 3 bottles of wine per month and smokin g. These factors were, however, not independent of each other and when subjected to a multivariate logistic regression analysis 2 factors, i .e. the lifetime number of sexual partners (more than 4 partners vs on e; OR 7.94, (3.41-18.50)) and coitus on first date (practised more tha n once vs never, OR 2.99 (1.55-5.78)) emerged as independently associa ted with a previous STD.