J Korean Acad Fam Med.  1997 Feb;18(2):159-168.

Trends of Sexually Transmitted Diseases During Recent 4 Years: among Beneficiaries of a Health Center in Seoul

• Yoo SM

Abstract

BACKGROUNDS: Sexually transmitted disease is class 3 major communicable disease group in Korea, and nationwide surveillance is required to control it. It is necessary to investigate the trends and current characteristics of STDs for effective control.
METHODS
We analysed the laboratory data of those who visited a health center in Seoul for venereal disease examination and had abnormal results from Jan 1, 1991 to Dec 31, 1994. Venereal disease examination was composed of serum VDRL(quantitative), Gram staining and culture of urine or urethral discharge.
RESULTS
There were 1196 male cases(97.6%) among the total 1226 cases. Mean age was 31.1+/-8.4, and the most common age group was 25-34 yr-old(60.8%). Diagnosis was as follows : syphilis 48 cases(3.9%), gonorrhea 388 cases(31.6%), Nongonoccocal urethritis 773 cases(63.1%), others 10 cases(0.8%), mixed infection of syphilis and gonorrhea 2 cases(0.2 %), mixed infection of syphilis and NGU 5 cases(0.4%). The proportion of PPNG among gonorrhea was as follows : 1991 48.1%, 1992 38.0%, 1993 32.9%, 1994 58.8%. The fraction of NGU among whole urethritis patients increased year by year, 1991 68.0%, 1992 69.4%, 1993 73.3%, 1994 55.3%. There were more WBCs on Gram staining of gonorrhea cases than NGU cases(p<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
The STD patients among beneficiaries of a health center were mainly young male. Common diagnosis was as follows, NGU, gonorrhea, syphilis. The proportion of PPNG among gonorrhea decreased initially, then increased in 1994, and the fraction of NGU among whole urethritis cases increased initially, then increased in 1994.

MeSH Terms

Coinfection
Communicable Diseases
Diagnosis
Gonorrhea
Humans
Korea
Male
Seoul*
Sexually Transmitted Diseases*
Syphilis
Urethritis