Differences in demographics and risk factors among men attending public v non-public STD clinics in Baltimore, Maryland

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Abstract
Objective: To compare the demographics and risk factors of men who utilise the services of a municipal public sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic with those who utilise the services provided by a non-public men’s STD clinic operated by a not for profit primary care clinic. Methods: A record based review of the characteristics and STD prevalence of men who visited a non-public STD clinic in Baltimore, Maryland, compared with those of a random sample of male attendees of a public STD clinic. Data abstracted from the records included information on age, race/ethnicity, self reported risk behaviours, and STD tests and results. We used χ2 analysis as well as bivariate and multivariate modelling to compare differences in categorical factors between clinics groups. Results: Men who utilised the services at the non-public STD clinic were more often white (71% v 3%, pv 2%, pv 15%, pv 11%, p = 0.005), and having an HIV positive partner (10% v 3%, p = 0.005). Factors independently associated with attendance at non-public clinic in multivariate analysis were general screening as reason for visit (OR = 11.0, pConclusions: Non-public STD clinics can reach a distinct segment of the male population with high risk sexual behaviours that might not attend public STD clinics.

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