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The article presents a study on a 15-minute interactive, computerized condom use intervention with biological endpoints. The research aims to evaluate the efficacy of a 15-minute, theory-based, behavioral intervention developed to increase condom use and lessen new cases of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. The intervention was conducted using a computerized application to patients. Results show that the brief, interactive, computer-delivered interventions rendered during the evaluation session increase condom use and lessen cases of sexually transmitted diseases.

The article discusses the growth rate, control and heath disparities of sexually transmitted disease (STD). It states that in recent years, STD rates have been flat or have increased in the U.S. It notes that the national syphilis rates have begun to increase once again since 2000 while gonorrhea rates have been relatively flat in the southern U.S. It indicates that clinicians have often made their thought processes using Anderson and May's reproductive rate equation2 in which the reproductive rates of an infection is determined multiplicatively by the combinations of factors contributing to the three major elements of the equation such as infectivity, sexual partner selection and duration of infectivity.

Background. The spectrum of genital herpes (GH) has been understudied in men, especially African American men. Methods. Consecutive men attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic were enrolled in a study of GH epidemiology. Consenting participants answered questionnaires detailing their sexual and social activities and underwent serological testing for herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and -2) and collection of genital swabs for viral detection. Results. Of the 516 men enrolled, 465 (90%) were African American. Antibodies to HSV-1 were present in 315 (61%) of participants, and 233 (45%) had antibodies to HSV-2. Factors associated with HSV-2 infection included older age and African American race. HSV was detected in genital swabs from 52 men; 43 (82.7%) swabs were HSV-2 positive, and 9 (17.3%) were HSV-1 positive. The overall viral shedding rate among men (n = 247) with evidence of GH (HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection) was 21.1%, and the asymptomatic shedding rate in this same group was 5.2%. The sensitivities of culture for detection of HSV-1 and HSV-2 were .22 and .58, respectively, compared with that of polymerase chain reaction. Conclusions. Genital HSV infections are common and largely unrecognized among this segment of the population. HSV-1 infection constitutes a nontrivial proportion of GH in these men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To assess the potential need, interest, and benefits of provision of contraceptive services in sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic, we surveyed 516 women attending an innercity STD clinic regarding contraceptive and sexual practices. STD prevalence. knowledge of contraceptive-related STD prophylaxis, and interest in contraceptive services within the STD clinic setting. The study population was at high risk for unintended pregnancy and STDs at time of interview 46 per ¢ of women were not contracepting and 59 per ¢ were treated for STD or STD exposure. Two-thirds of women had at least one prior pregnancy and 50 per ¢ had al least one living child. Only 26 per ¢ of women knew that some contraceptive methods may reduce the risk of STD acquisition: however, 62 per ¢ expressed interest in contraceptive methods which would reduce their risk of STD acquisition. This study suggests that provision of contraceptive service in STD clinic settings may address dual needs in a group al high risk for both unintended pregnancy and STD. (Am J Public Health 1987: 77:1427-1430.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses issues related to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). There are more than 20 sexually transmitted bacterial and viral infections. Each causes substantial long- and short-term morbidity and, in the case of HIV, mortality for infected persons, for their sexual partners, and for children born to infected mothers. Efforts to control STDs are best served by using a combined strategy aimed at identification and care for individuals with infection, and preventive measures for those at risk for infection. Much has been learned about condom effectiveness for prevention of STDs since the National Institutes of Health condom workshop.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify douching patterns and their relation to sexually transmitted disease (STD) among black women seeking an STD evaluation. Study Design: This study was a cross-sectional survey with biologic testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea infection. Results: Of 891 participants, 46.1% were current douchers. Commonly identified reasons for douching were to cleanse after menses (65.4%) and to feel fresh (42.2%). Frequent douching was associated with douching after sex (P <0.001), to alleviate an itch (P <0.001), and to feel fresh (P <0.001). Women who douched during menses (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13-20.13) and to alleviate an itch (AOR = 3.66; 95% CI = 1.00-13.41) were more likely to have a current chlamydial infection. Conclusions: Douching was common among this high-risk population of black women. Prospective studies are needed to determine the consequences of douching and any mediating effects of women's motivation for the behavior on reproductive health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which evaluates the performance of the BD ProbeTec chlamydia trachomatis Q (CTQ) amplified DNA assay on BD Viper System. It outlines the method of the study which uses 1538 men and women attending sexually transmitted disease, family planning, and obstetrics clinics. The study indicates that the performance of CTQ assay are comparable with other commercially available nucleic acid-based tests such as Aptima Combo 2 and BD Probtec.

The article reports on the rsik factors for incident herpes simplex virus infection among women who attends sexually transmitted disease clinic. It shows the evaluation of supplementary cueing as a technique to increse recall of sex partners. It discusses that volunteers at a clinic in Brazil were asked to freely recall all regular and casual sex partners. It infers that the cue technique can improve sexual partners' recall in cultural contexts different than the United States because individuals already reporting several partners before the cue.

The article prospectively examines the chlamydial natural history in sexually transmitted diseases clinic patients in the interval between screening and returning treatment of positive chlamydial tests. It then evaluates the results of repeat chlamydial testing and clinical outcomes and their associated predictors. The findings show that although spontaneous resolution of chlamydia is common, many persons with persisting chlamydia progress to develop signs of infection and some develop complications. Discussion of the results of the study is provided.

Background: Studies addressing health-seeking behaviors among men at risk for STD are few; this study examines how having a regular doctor might influence risk-taking or STD prevalence.Goal: The goal was to examine demographic, sexual, and health-seeking characteristics of male STD clinic attendees.Study Design: Randomly selected men attending an STD clinic answered a questionnaire regarding the aforementioned characteristics. The men were stratified according to whether they reported having a regular doctor.Results: Of 467 men, 32% reported a regular doctor. These men were more likely to be older, to be better educated, and to state they would seek care for a medical problem at a doctor's office. The two groups did not differ in STD history or prostitute exposure; men without doctors were more likely to have urethritis and STD, although the men with doctors had substantial STD rates.Conclusion: Public health clinics remain an important safety net for the management of STD, even for men who report a regular doctor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]