Sexual behaviour in male patients with genital ulcers attending dermatology outpatient department and sexually transmitted infections clinic
Keywords:
Genital ulcer disease, sexually transmitted ulcers, HIV, AIDS, sexual behaviour, commercial sex worker, condomsAbstract
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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