Profile of consulting population at the sexually transmitted diseases (STD) polyclinic, dispensary Nº 1, Los Andes, 2001-2003

Abstract

The objective was that of characterizing the group of patients registered at the Sexually Transmitted Disaeases (STD) Polyclinic of this province, determining risk factors, higher prevalence pathologies and treatment coverage in primary care. This is a descriptive studycarried out in the Cordillera Andina Health Center during July 2004. Data were collected from 254 medical record cards corresponding to the total number of patients registered in the program at any time from 2001 to 2003. The variables studied were: age at insertion into the program; sex; occupation; place of residence; schooling; sexual orientation; number of couples and use of preservatives; alcohol and drug consumption; clinical examinations; principal diagnosis and treatment. The average age of insertion was 30 years; 78% of the patients being males. Of these, 38.1% were manual workers with a lower frequency of other occupations; only 47% had completed middle school. As far as habits are concerned: 8.6% admitted homosexual/bisexual orientation; 48.9% had 2-4 couples during the last year; 57% never used a preservative, 75.3% consumed alcohol and 395 other drugs. Of diagnoses performed, gonorrhea was 36.9%, nongonococcal urethritis, 30.65 and syphilis, 18.9%. Characterization of this population is accomplished, finding in it a clear majority of males, while among women there is a relative frequency of housewives. High percentages of promiscuity, alcohol and drug consumption, low use of preservatives and low schooling stand out.