Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Patients Admitted in Different Health Agencies of Ilocos Sur

Abstract

This study looked into the personal characteristics and health practices of adult patients who were medically diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and were referred to and admitted in selected hospitals, rural health unit, and Philippine National Red Cross of Ilocos Sur. Data were gathered through the accomplished questionnaire checklist distributed to 36 STD patients previously referred to and confined in the selected health agencies. These were supplemented by their medical records. The data were analyzed through frequency counts, percentages, means, and chi-square. Findings show that there was a predominance of STD among the respondents who were 21-30 years old, male, single with an outgoing personality, straight man in gender, and peddlers. Gonorrhea was the prevalent STD type that afflicted them. The respondents often drank beer, liquor or hard wine; occasionally smoked cigarette/tobacco; and sought medical check-up. They were often observedfor signs and symptoms of rectal bleeding, itching or pain, and genital discharges; and occasionally performed perineal/genital care before and after sexual intercourse. They seldom used condom during sexual intercourse. In terms of sexual acts, they always preferred vaginal intercourse and seldom engaged in oral and anal sex. The respondents seldom exchanged money for sex, however, they occasionally exchanged sex for money. Occasionally, too, but they used
drugs before casual sex contact, they did not submit themselves eitherfor HIV antibody test or blood transfusion.
Among the personal characteristics, only sex was found significantly related to the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases. However, their personal attributes didnot show significance to their health practices.