Citation
Panchanadeswaran, Subadra; Johnson, Sethulakshmi C.; Mayer, Kenneth H.; Srikrishnan, Aylur K.; Sivaram, Sudha; Zelaya, Carla E.; Go, Vivian F.; Solomon, Suniti; Bentley, Margaret E.; & Celentano, David D. (2006). Gender Differences in the Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Genital Symptoms in an Urban Setting in Southern India. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 82(6), 491-495. PMCID: PMC2563883Abstract
Objectives: To examine gender differences in sexual behaviour, the prevalence of laboratory-detected sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and self-reported genital symptoms in urban Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.Study design: The data were based on a cross-sectional survey (n = 1649) of residents from low-income communities in Chennai. Data were collected during community-wide health camps comprising physical examinations, interviews and laboratory testing between March and June 2001.
Results: The population was young, sexually active, with a low prevalence of STI. The most commonly detected STI was Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2; 13.2%). Women had a higher prevalence of HSV2, but were more likely than men to be asymptomatic. Most of the self-reported genital symptoms could not be linked to a laboratory-detected STI. >10% of the cohort had a history of an ulcerative STI and >5% had an inflammatory STI.
Conclusions: Given a high prevalence of HSV2 in the study population, interventions targeting HSV2 transmission may be particularly relevant for this population.
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/sti.2006.020768Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2006Journal Title
Sexually Transmitted InfectionsAuthor(s)
Panchanadeswaran, SubadraJohnson, Sethulakshmi C.
Mayer, Kenneth H.
Srikrishnan, Aylur K.
Sivaram, Sudha
Zelaya, Carla E.
Go, Vivian F.
Solomon, Suniti
Bentley, Margaret E.
Celentano, David D.