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Presents a study which examined the occurrence of diphtheria among alcoholic urban adults in Seattle, Washington State. Symptoms of nasopharyngeal diphtheria; Number of diphtheria infection cases identified from 1950 through 1987; Complications related to nasopharyngeal infection.

Abstract: The results of routine cervical cytology screening at a Planned Parenthood Center (PPC) clinic were compared to those at a nearby sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic in Seattle. Cervical cytologic findings were consistent with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), grades 1 (mild dysplasia). 2 (moderate dysplasia), or 3 (severe dysplasia to carcinoma in situ) in 502 (5.9 per cent) of 8,504 PPC patients and 87 (11.4 per cent) of 764 STD patients (p = .001 ). This rate for STD patients is five times that reported for the general population. Sixty-three PPC patients and 31 STD patients with screening smears consistent with CIN 1 or 2 underwent further prospective study by us, including repeated cytologic and colposcopic examinations. Thirty-seven (59 per cent) of 63 PPC patients and 26 (84 per cent) of 31 STD patients (p = .02) had at least one additional smear or colposcopy consistent with CIN and were advised to undergo cervical biopsy. Among those who underwent recommended biopsy, CIN was confirmed histologically in 15 (50 per cent) of 30 PPC patients and 11 (61 per cent) of 18 STD patterns. Thus, the proportion of patients who had screening cytologic findings consistent with CIN. the proportion with persistent cytologic or colposcopic findings consistent with CIN on retesting, and the proportion of those biopsied who had histologically confirmed CIN, all were higher for STD than for PPC patients. There is a serious need for cytologic screening in STD clinics throughout the nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objectives of this stud) were to describe sexual behaviors of Seattle residents in 2(H)3-2(X)4 and report changes since 1995. Methods: We conducted a random digit-dial (RDD) survey among 18- to 39-year-old men and women in 2003–2004. We compared the results with the results of a 1995 RDD survey conducted in the same population. Questionnaire batteries and sampling methods were similar in the 2 surveys. Results: Between 1995 and 2004, the median number of lifetime sex partners increased from 7 to 8. Vaginal douching declined from 70.6% to 25.9% (P = 0.004) among black women; from 8.3% to 5.9% (P «0.05) among Asian American women; and from 15.5% to 2.4% (P «0.05) overall. After adjustment, proportions of women who reported practicing vaginal douching (odds ratio [OR], 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7–0.22), the proportion of respondents who reported a history of any sexually transmitted disease (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.53–0.93) and a history of gonorrhea (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.25–0.89) declined between 1995 and 2004. Conversely, the proportion of respondents who reported only same-sex partners (OR, 3.27; 95% CI. 1.33–9.88), condom use at first sex with their most recent sex partner (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.06–1.78), and reported practice of anal sex (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.21–3.48) increased between 1995 and 2004. Among blacks, proportions reporting an age difference of only 2 years with their partners declined from 64.3% to 25.9% (P «0.05), indicating increased age mixing. Conclusions: Some risk behaviors declined whereas others increased between 1995 and 2004; several trends were divergent between the general population and minority populations. Our data hint at an increasing divergence in risk behaviors and morbidity between minority populations and the general population. Also, anal sex and number of sex partners have increased. These patterns have serious implications for the design, targeting, and implementation of prevention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Partnership formation and dissolution rates are primary determinants of sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission dynamics. Methods: The authors used data on persons'' lifetime sexual experiences from a 2003–2004 random digit dialing survey of Seattle residents aged 18–39 years (N =1,194) to estimate age- and gender-specific partnership formation and dissolution rates. Partnership start and end dates were used to estimate participants'' ages at the start of each partnership and partnership durations, and partnerships not enumerated in the survey were imputed. Results: Partnership formation peaked at age 19 at 0.9 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76–1.04) partnerships per year and decreased to 0.1 to 0.2 after age 30 for women and peaked at age 20 at 1.4 (95% CI: 1.08–1.64) and declined to 0.5 after age 30 for men. Nearly one fourth (23.7%) of partnerships ended within 1 week and more than one half (51.2%) ended within 12 weeks. Most (63.5%) individuals 30 to 39 years of age had not formed a new sexual partnership in the past 3 years. Conclusion: A large proportion of the heterosexual population is no longer at substantial STI risk by their early 30s, but similar analyses among high-risk populations may give insight into reasons for the profound disparities in STI rates across populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article focuses on the sexual behavior survey of men who have sex with both men and women (MSM/W) and vice versa (WSW/M) in Seattle, Washington and its prevalence to sexually transmitted infection (STI). Contingency tables with the chi-squared test were used to identify correlates of behaviors and other STI risk factors by gender and gender of sex partners. It shows that MSM and MSM/W have the highest risks of STI, despite the use of condom during anorectal intercourse.

Goal: The length of time between partnerships ("gap") is an important determinant of the overall transmission system of sexually transmitted infections. We describe the distributions of gaps, lengths, and overlaps among participants in a random-digit dialing survey conducted among 1194 Seattle residents during 2003-2004. Methods: Survey participants were restricted to those 18 to 39 years of age with fluency in the English language. We limited our analysis to the 1051 (88%) participants who reported ever engaging in vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse and reported information on gaps, lengths, and overlaps. Results: Most (59%) observed gaps between partnerships were of length ≤6 months; therefore, the majority of 18- to 39-year-olds seeking new partners find a new partner well within the infectious period of chlamydia infection, gonorrhea, and syphilis (if no treatment is received) and herpes simplex virus, human papilloma virus, and human immunodeficiency virus infections. This was generally true independent of gender, race, income, or education. Gap length, however, correlated with age. Conclusions: The observed shorter gap lengths among younger individuals reinforce the need to focus interventions on adolescents and young adults, particularly those with the potential to mix with infected individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the spread of sexually transmitted infections among concurrent sexual partners in Seattle, Washington. Enhancement of partner notification and counselling; Forms of concurrency partnership; Influence of concurrency on the spread of gonorrhea.