TITLE:
Sexually Transmitted Infections among African-American Population of the Midwest United States
AUTHORS:
K. M. Islam, Robin High, Veenu Minhas, Ruth Margalit
KEYWORDS:
Sexually Transmitted Infections; STIs; Chlamydia; Gonorrhea; African-American; Survey
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Infectious Diseases,
Vol.4 No.1,
March
17,
2014
ABSTRACT: Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea are commonly reported infections in the United States. Greater Omaha has had continually higher reported rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea for more than a decade compared to the rest of the state rates. Minority and young adults have been disproportionately affected. Purpose: The objectives of our study were to estimate the prevalence and to identify risk factors for chlamydia and gonorrhea among young adults. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 310 young adults aged 19 -25 years between June 2011 and June 2012. The study collected socio-demographic, behavioral and other risk factors for STIs utilizing a pre-design standardized questionnaire. Gonorrhea and chlamydia status of the participants were established by testing urine samples using PCR-based diagnostic technique. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses were used to examine risk factors for STIs. Results: About 12.6% survey participants had at least one STI test positive. Lower education was associated with STIs but was not statistically significant (Odd Ratio for no schooling was 8.24, 95% CI 0.93 -72.86, Odd Ratio for high school education was 2.05, 95% CI 0.25 -16.63 compared to associate or college level education). No other predictors were associated with STIs. The average age of the first sexual intercourse was lower, and the number of sexual partners was higher compared to their national counterparts. Conclusion: We found a higher percentage of STI-positive individuals compared to previously reported county-level estimates. Education was the single and most important predictor of positive STI status.