Signs and symptoms associated with sexually transmitted infections in Brazil, 2005

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major determinant of population disease burden worldwide. The objective of the study was to assess self-reported morbidity associated to STIs according to gender. METHODS: The study data were obtained from a 2005 study consisting of a multistage probabilistic sample of 5,040 respondents, aged 16-65 years, living in urban areas in Brazil. These data were compared with those from a previous 1998 study. Bivariate analyses were carried out using Pearson's chi-square test and simple linear regression followed by logistic regression. RESULTS: In both men and women, the variables: previous HIV testing, personal belief in unfaithful love, and number of sexual partners in a lifetime were significantly associated to STIs. In women only, the covariates: low family income, living in the Center-West, Southeast and South regions, and reporting of physical violence were independently associated to STIs. In men, the variables associated were: age group (35 years or more), living in the South region and in the state of São Paulo, and self-perceived HIV infection risk. CONCLUSIONS: Signs and symptoms associated to STIs have strong gender differences in the general population and education interventions should be specifically targeted to either men or women.