One in 10 Adolescents Had Recurrent Sexually Transmitted Disease

Abstract

Researchers examined prospectively the risk of gonococcal and chlamydial cervicitis among 216 sexually active female adolescents aged 11-19 years enrolled at adolescent health clinics in Birmingham Alabama. The subjects were first examined in November 1990 then followed through December 1992. Each teen was interviewed about her sexual and gynecological history screened initially for chlamydial or gonorrhea cervicitis and followed every 4 months. Participants made a median of 3 visits over the study period being retested 1-2 years after the date of their initial screening. Logistic regression models which evaluated the probability of testing positive during follow-up controlled for initial test results lifetime number of sex partners the number of partners during the previous 4 months recent condom use condom use at last intercourse and frequency of douching. The girls were of median age 15 85% Black and had had first intercourse at median age 14. 41% reported using a condom at last intercourse 32% reported douching monthly and 15% had a history of sexually transmitted disease (STD). Overall 56% had at least one episode of cervical infection at the initial or follow-up screening. The cumulative rates of chlamydial and gonococcal infection at any follow-up were 21% and 17% respectively. 18% and 40% of those who initially tested positive for chlamydia and gonococcal infections respectively did so again at follow-up. Although only 9% of subjects had recurrent infections they were responsible for 33% of all cervical infections during the study. No one factor independently predicted a positive follow-up test for chlamydia. However not using a condom at last intercourse and testing positive for a STD at the first visit both independently predicted subsequent gonococcal infection.