TY - JOUR
T1 - Health-seeking and sexual behaviors among primary healthcare patients in Nairobi, Kenya
AU - Fonck, Karoline
AU - Mwai, Charles
AU - Ndinya-Achola, Jackoniah
AU - Bwayo, Job
AU - Temmerman, Marleen
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - Background: Health-seeking and sexual behaviors are important elements in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Goal: To examine patterns of health-seeking behavior and related sexual behavior relevant to improved prevention and care among patients attending primary healthcare (PHC) clinics. Study Design: A questionnaire covering social, demographic, and healthcare-seeking and sexual behavior information was administered to 555 patients attending three primary healthcare clinics in low socioeconomic areas of Nairobi, Kenya. Results: Women's knowledge about health in general and STIs in particular was poor. A major gender difference in delay of health seeking for STIs was observed (5 days for men versus 14 days for women). Significantly more men than women reported a history of STIs (68% versus 47%; P = 0.04). Men reported more extramarital affairs (17% versus 8%; P < 0.001). A high prevalence of gonorrhea (3%) and chlamydia (6%) was found in this population, with no difference between the genders. The urine dipstick was ineffective for the detection of these STIs. Conclusions: There is a need for better understanding of behavioral factors, as well as gender and social aspects of health care. Health education and health promotion in these areas should be strengthened. Improved screening tests are needed for the detection of STI.
AB - Background: Health-seeking and sexual behaviors are important elements in the control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Goal: To examine patterns of health-seeking behavior and related sexual behavior relevant to improved prevention and care among patients attending primary healthcare (PHC) clinics. Study Design: A questionnaire covering social, demographic, and healthcare-seeking and sexual behavior information was administered to 555 patients attending three primary healthcare clinics in low socioeconomic areas of Nairobi, Kenya. Results: Women's knowledge about health in general and STIs in particular was poor. A major gender difference in delay of health seeking for STIs was observed (5 days for men versus 14 days for women). Significantly more men than women reported a history of STIs (68% versus 47%; P = 0.04). Men reported more extramarital affairs (17% versus 8%; P < 0.001). A high prevalence of gonorrhea (3%) and chlamydia (6%) was found in this population, with no difference between the genders. The urine dipstick was ineffective for the detection of these STIs. Conclusions: There is a need for better understanding of behavioral factors, as well as gender and social aspects of health care. Health education and health promotion in these areas should be strengthened. Improved screening tests are needed for the detection of STI.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036173320&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/00007435-200202000-00007
DO - 10.1097/00007435-200202000-00007
M3 - Article
C2 - 11818896
AN - SCOPUS:0036173320
SN - 0148-5717
VL - 29
SP - 106
EP - 111
JO - Sexually Transmitted Diseases
JF - Sexually Transmitted Diseases
IS - 2
ER -