Comparison of STD burden and risk among men with and without regular doctors attending a southern urban STD clinic.

摘要

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.