Can the stigma of sexually transmitted infections affect the reported route of transmission by patients from particular sociocultural groups?

摘要

In countries where any extramarital sexual contact (hetero- or homosexual) may be considered as an illegal, non-culturally acceptable or antisocial behaviour, patients more frequently report unusual modes of transmission as a protective conservation. In these countries, patients do not usually and honestly reveal either the nature of their sexual activities or the source of intercourse due to sociolegal reasons or for fear of persecution. Unusual explanations that individuals with laboratory confirmed STIs, who consistently deny any sexual contact(s), typically make to describe the route of transmission may vary from one person to other and have a wide spectrum, and can in turn depend on factors such as patient's sociocultural status, religious beliefs and sexual education. In some instances, the relative stigma of ‘admitting’ zoophilic intercourse would be more preferable to admitting extramarital relations or homosexual activities, both of which may be considered as criminal activities.