Sexually Transmitted Infections in A Tertiary Hospital of Kathmandu: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the diseases that are transmitted by sexual contact if a partner is infected with agent known to cause infection of genitalia. This group of diseases pose a huge public health problem. This study aims to provide an insight on the prevalence of STIs in a tertiary care center dedicated to civil servants.
 Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. All patients diagnosed with STI in a dermatology out-patient of Civil Service Hospital, a tertiary care hospital situated in Kathmandu over a period of two years from January 1 2018 to December 30 2019 were included in the study. The diagnosis was made by clinical and laboratory investigations.
 Results: The total number 157 cases of STIs were enrolled in this study, of which 119 (75.8%) were males and 38(24.2%) were females. The mean age of patients was 27.8±8.8 years, ranging from 15 to 60 years. Seventy three (46.5%) patients were married, while 81 (51.6%) patients were unmarried. Unmarried males were significantly more vulnerable to acquire STIs (p=0.005). Males were having significantly more premarital or extramarital sexual exposures as compared to females (p<0.001). The most common presentation was condyloma acuminata in 84(53.5%) patients. Consistent use of condom was reported only in 3 (2.5%) males and 1 (2.6%) females in this study. No association was noted between the education level attained to the practice of safe sexual methods (p=0.535).
 Conclusion: The proportion of males was higher than females in our study which might be due to the reluctances of female to see doctor for sexual problems. The level of education did not seem to make people aware of practicing safe sex. Sexual education seems must in all level of education.

Awareness and Pattern of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Hospital Based Study

“…This is in accordance with other studies from Nepal. 10,11 Similar results were seen in the studies from Pakistan. 14 Adolescents' employment status can be a risk factor for STDs as these young, enthusiastic generations will engage with more people in their jobs rather than in colleges and get higher chances of STIs, especially among females.…”

“…This is in concordance with other similar studies from Nepal. [9][10][11] Various studies from India also showed a similar male preponderance. 12,13 Females are predisposed to increase biological and social vulnerability to STIs, especially in a developing country like India.…”

“…The next most common presentation was syphilis (8.9%), genital herpes (5.1%), and multiple STIs (6.4%). 11 Another study from Nepal reported genital warts to be the commonest presentation, followed by syphilis. 9 Several studies in Nepal revealed a rising trend in syphilis cases.…”

Clinicoepidemiological Profile and Sexual Behaviour Pattern of Patients with Anogenital Warts

“…12 This finding is similar to a study done by Paudel et al, who found 8.9% cases of syphilis amongst all STIs. 13 While analyzing HIV status in patients with AGW, 2 (2.6%) were positive for HIV serology which is 18.6 times higher than the prevalence of HIV in the general population, which is 0.14%. 14 Amongst other coexistent STIs, syphilis was the most common in our study, which is similar to Mueller et al, and Barua et al 15,2 Hence, patients with AGW should be evaluated and, if required, tested for syphilis and HIV.…”