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Sexually transmitted diseases and risk behaviors among pregnant women attending inner city public sexually transmitted diseases clinics in Baltimore, MD, 1996-2002.
- Source :
-
Sexually transmitted diseases [Sex Transm Dis] 2007 Dec; Vol. 34 (12), pp. 991-4. - Publication Year :
- 2007
-
Abstract
- Objective: To determine the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and characterize behavioral correlates among pregnant women attending inner city public STD clinics.<br />Study Design: A retrospective study of 2303 pregnant women frequency matched by clinic and year of visit to 2303 nonpregnant women seeking services during years 1996 to 2002 at public STD clinics in Baltimore, MD.<br />Results: On average, 329 pregnant women attended Baltimore City STD clinics each year during 1996 to 2002. Forty-six and a half percent of pregnant women knew they were pregnant when they presented to the STD clinic. Although pregnant women were younger (23.3 vs. 28.3 years of age, P <0.01) and more likely to have sought STD clinical services in the past (55.4% vs. 51.5%, P <0.01), they were less likely to report high-risk sexual behaviors such as new (4.6% vs. 7.0%, P <0.01) or multiple sex partners (11.6% vs. 13.9%, P <0.01) than nonpregnant women. However, prevalence of gonorrhea (4.8% pregnant vs. 4.2%), chlamydia (9.9% vs. 7.7%), trichomoniasis (12.4% vs. 12.0%), and early syphilis (1.5% vs. 1.2%) was high, and both groups were equally as likely to have any STD.<br />Conclusion: The prevalence of STDs was similar for pregnant and nonpregnant women attending the inner city public STD clinics, despite differences in risk factors for STDs. Understanding the impact of STDs on perinatal outcomes among this population and developing targeted interventions to reduce STD-related maternal and infant morbidity are critical public health issues.
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Adult
Ambulatory Care Facilities
Baltimore epidemiology
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious etiology
Prevalence
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Partners
Sexually Transmitted Diseases etiology
Sexually Transmitted Diseases prevention & control
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious epidemiology
Risk-Taking
Sexually Transmitted Diseases epidemiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0148-5717
- Volume :
- 34
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 18080350
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1097/olq.0b013e31812e6b9a