Sexual behaviour in male patients with genital ulcers attending dermatology outpatient department and sexually transmitted infections clinic

Authors

  • Piyush Kumar
  • Dilip Kumar Sa
  • Satyendra Nath Chowdhury
  • Nilay Kanti Das
  • Pijush Kanti Datta
  • Ramesh Chandra Gharami

Keywords:

Genital ulcer disease, sexually transmitted ulcers, HIV, AIDS, sexual behaviour, commercial sex worker, condoms

Abstract

Objective To analyze the sexual behaviour of male patients with genital ulcer disease (GUD) - both sexually acquired or transmitted (STU) and non-sexually transmitted ulcers (non-STU). Methods Male patients presenting with genital ulcer(s) to Dermatology out-patient department and sexually transmitted infections  (STI) clinic of a tertiary care centre of eastern India were subjected to a pretested open-ended questionnaire. Illiterate patients were interviewed and their response was recorded. The study was conducted over a period of one year and at the end of study period, data was analyzed. A total of 110 patients were included in study for analysis and relative incidence rate of male genital ulcers (MGU) was found to be 4.88 per 1000. Results A total of 110 patients were included in study for analysis and relative incidence rate of MGU was 4.88 per 1000. Majority of MGU (65.4%) was contributed by non-STU. Positive history of sexual exposure was found in around 53.1%, 97.4% and 22.2% of MGU, STU and non-STU patients, respectively. Mean number of partners was more in cases of STU and majority of the sex partners were commercial sex worker (CSW), (69.5%, 78.9%, and 68.7% in MGU, STU, and non-STU, respectively). Knowledge of condoms and its protective role in STI was found in 68.5%, 56.4%, and 75% in MGU, STU and non-STU patients, respectively. It was significantly higher in non-STU group. Irregular use of condom was found in a large number of patients (25.23%, 48.72%, and 12.5% in MGU, STU, and non-STU, respectively). Of note, irregular use of condom was found in a significant higher number of STU patients. Conclusion Non-STU was responsible for majority of GUD in our study. History of sexual exposure and sex with high risk group (CSW) was noted in both STU as well as non-STU. Hence, high risk sexual behaviour alone should not bias us towards the diagnosis of STU. Awareness of protective benefits of condoms against STI/ HIV is high, but it does not necessarily lead to consistent use of condoms.

References

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Published

2017-03-29

How to Cite

1.
Kumar P, Kumar Sa D, Chowdhury SN, Das NK, Datta PK, Gharami RC. Sexual behaviour in male patients with genital ulcers attending dermatology outpatient department and sexually transmitted infections clinic. J Pak Assoc Dermatol [Internet]. 2017Mar.29 [cited 2025Feb.7];26(3):193-200. Available from: http://www.jpad.com.pk/index.php/jpad/article/view/977

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