Document 0585
 DOCN  M9650585
 TI    The importance of social histories for assessing sexually transmitted
       disease risk.
 DT    9605
 AU    Briggs LP; Patnaude P; Scavron J; Whelan M; Etkind P; Massachusetts
       Department of Public Health, Division of STD; Control, Jamaica Plain
       02130, USA.
 SO    Sex Transm Dis. 1995 Nov-Dec;22(6):348-50. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96157998
 AB    BACKGROUND: Although identifying risk groups for sexually transmitted
       diseases based on age or race may be useful for targeting screening
       efforts, clinicians should recognize that even members of most low-risk
       groups include some individuals at higher risk of infection. GOAL OF
       THIS STUDY: This case series of generally older people with sexually
       transmitted diseases illustrates how assumptions regarding age and risk
       group can lead to missed opportunities for sexually transmitted disease
       prevention. STUDY DESIGN: Records were compiled from two clusters of
       patients with sexually transmitted diseases seen at a Springfield,
       Mass., health center between March and September 1992. RESULTS: Nine
       patients with a sexually transmitted disease (one with syphilis/human
       immunodeficiency virus co-infection, one with herpes/human
       immunodeficiency virus co-infection, two with human immunodeficiency
       virus infections, and five with syphilis) are described. Eight of the
       patients are linked epidemiologically. CONCLUSIONS: A social history is
       essential during a medical encounter for sexually transmitted disease
       prevention purposes. Relying on assumptions regarding risk groups, as
       well as sexual activity, age, or other medical conditions, may lead to a
       patient's level of risk of infection going unrecognized. Discomfort
       associated with asking the sensitive questions involved in a social
       history also is a barrier to recognizing risks or infections.
       Non-judgmental sexual histories are appropriate when evaluating all
       patients.
 DE    Adult  Age Factors  Aged  Cluster Analysis  Contact Tracing/*METHODS
       Female  Herpes Genitalis/TRANSMISSION  Human  HIV
       Infections/TRANSMISSION  Male  Medical History Taking/*METHODS  Middle
       Age  Risk Factors  *Sex Behavior  Sexually Transmitted
       Diseases/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION  Stereotyping
       Syphilis/TRANSMISSION  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).