Recorded presentation

Adenike Bitto, MD, DrPH, MPH, CHES¹, Kristen Kubinsky¹, Marcie Grello¹, Raegen Camuso², Steven Kowalewski³, Lynn D. Woodhouse, EdD, MPH⁴, Alberto Jose Cardelle, PhD, MPH⁴, and James A Fagin, PhD⁵. (1) ESU, P.O. Box 155, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, (570)422-3375, abitto@po-box.esu.edu, (2) Division of TB/STD, STD Program, PO Box 90, Harrisburg, PA 17108, (3) Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Rom 1013 Health & Welfare Building, P.O. Box 90, Harrisburg, PA 17108, (4) Public Health Program, East Stroudsburg University, 200 Prospect St., 242 DeNike Building, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, (5) Dean of Graduate School, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, 200 Prospect Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301

The current sexually transmitted disease (STD) epidemic among youth poses a public challenge. Data indicate that STD epidemics may be driven by certain individuals who get repeated infections - “the frequent flyers.” Young women may be at increased risk because of evolving biological characteristics of the etiological agents, socio-cultural factors, socioeconomic characteristics, and behavioral factors associated with STD recidivism. This study developed a new STD recidivism survey instrument that was pilot-tested among clients in an STD clinic, with Institutional Review Board approval and instrument revision based on comments from an expert panel. Women gave frank answers to questions about their STD history, sexual relationships and practices, birth control use, reproductive history, demographic background and prevention of STDs. Twenty three percent of all women had their first intercourse between ages 11 – 14 years and only 9.5% after 20 years. Sixty one percent of women had one sexual partner within the last six months, but only 44.4% used a condom at the last intercourse with their main partner. Sixty percent of the women had a previous pregnancy, 57.9% were in a monogamous relationship, 28.6% in casual and 14.9% in “one night stand” type of relationships. Among “frequent flyers”, 42 % received treatment for a previous STD infection at another clinic; all completed the course of treatment, but 42 % admitted to resuming sexual relations when they had an STD; and about 71 % reported that their partners also received treatment. Data for “frequent flyers” was compared to women reporting their first infection.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

(
• discuss factors associated with STD recidivism (frequent flyers) among women using the epidemiologic triad of agent, host and environment; (
• Describe approaches useful for developing, pilot testing and possible community-wide implementation of a new epidemiological STD recidivism survey tool; (
• Identify relevant prevention and control strategies for women as “frequent flyers.”

Keywords: STD, Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation