Clinical patterns of sexually transmitted diseases, associated sociodemographic characteristics, and sexual practices in the Farwaniya region of Kuwait

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are common worldwide, but there are few studies available on STDs from the Gulf countries, including Kuwait. Our goal was to determine the clinical patterns, sociodemographic factors, and sexual practices of patients with STDs who attended a government hospital in the Farwaniya region of Kuwait. All patients seen over a 1-year period (July 2003 to June 2004), who presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of STDs, were included. Sociodemographic details and clinical findings were recorded. The diagnosis of each STD was based mainly on standard World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and available data. Serologic tests for syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were offered to all patients. One thousand and ninety-six patients (1068 male, 28 female) with STDs constituted 2.84% of all new dermatology patients seen; most (866) were in the 21-40-year age group. The STDs were acquired from commercial sex workers in 844 patients (77%). Heterosexual encounter (99.3%) was the most common mode of acquiring STDs. Urethral discharge was noted in 54.1% of patients, followed by genital ulcers (17.8%), papules/growths (16.4%), and urethral/pubic pain without associated discharge/ulcers (5.9%); these were the four most common presenting complaints. Evaluation revealed gonorrhea in 31.5% of patients, nongonococcal urethritis in 23.6%, chlamydia in 4.1%, nonspecific urethritis in 19.5%, concomitant gonorrhea and chlamydia urethritis in 2.7%, genital warts in 13.7%, chancroid in 13.0%, genital herpes in 4.8%, molluscum contagiosum in 2.7%, and lymphogranuloma venereum in 1.4%. Urethral discharge, gonorrhea, and nonspecific urethritis (presenting with urethral discharge), followed by genital warts, chancroid, and genital herpes (ulcers), were the most common STDs among male patients in the Farwaniya region of Kuwait. Although no case of HIV or syphilis was detected, health authorities and physicians need to remain vigilant.