Korean J Dermatol.  1998 Oct;36(5):836-843.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexual Behavior of Recruits in a Korean Army Training Center

• Park SW
• Wang JK
• Wang HY
• Park MS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Almost all STD(sexually tranamitted diseases) have been increasing worldwide since the 1960s. In Korea, the occurrence of STD from recent trends of sexual openness and development in the pleasure-seeking industry is becoming a social issue. However, epidemiological studies and reports concerning the incidence of STD are lacking in Korea, especially in the sexually aetive young age group.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the incidence of YTD and sexual behavior of recruits in a Korean arrny training center to contribute to the management of STD in Korea.
METHODS
We studied 1304 recruits in a Korean army training center by questionnaire, physical examination and laboratory data. The subjects were divided into 3 groups: group 1(1072 persons), those who visited the hospital for evaluation of STD; group 2(641 persons), a control group for coitus rate; and group 3(1304 persons; group 1 plus 232 persons out of group 2), those who had coital experiences.
RESULTS
1. The incidence of STD in group 1 was 65.7%(704/1072) and that of the total number of recruits was 0.43%(704/164,134). 2. Among the 704 cases of STD, the most frequently observed STD was non-gonococcal urethritis, 292 cases(41.5%) and the second was gonorrhea, 236 cases(33.5%). The others were, 68 cases(9.7%) of pediculosis pubis, 41 cases(5.8%) of condyloma acuminatum, 29 cases(4.1%) of syphilis, 20 cases(2.8%) of combined STD, 14 cases(2%) of herpes progenitalis, 2 cases(0.28%) of molluscum cohtagiosum and 2 cases(0.28%) of chancroid. 3. The coitus rate in group 2 was 36.2%(232/641). 4. The incidence of previous STD in group 3 was 20.9%(273/1304). 5. The mn;t common form of STD which the patients experienced previously was urethritis(82.8%) and the others were pediculosis pubis(7.3%), syphilis(3.3%), condylcena acuminahun and herpes progenitalis. 6. The group with more sexual partners tended to have a lower educational level. 7. The experience rate of drug abuse was higher in the group with more sexual partners. 8. The experience rate of oral and anal sex was higher in the group with experiences of clrug abuse than in the ather one.
CONCLUSION
In this study, urethritis was the most common form of STD(75% of all STD) and non-gonococcal urethritis showed a greater incidence than gonorrhea. The incidence of STD is thought to be closely related to the factors associated with social or behavioral science, such as the number of sexual partners, grade of education, drug abuse, experience of oral and anal sex. To accomplish more effective management of STD, therefore, the improvement of current social problems involving sexual openness, the pleasure-seeking industry and drug abuse should be achieved.

MeSH Terms

Behavioral Sciences
Chancroid
Coitus
Education
Epidemiologic Studies
Gonorrhea
Humans
Incidence
Korea
Lice Infestations
Physical Examination
Sexual Behavior*
Sexual Partners
Sexually Transmitted Diseases*
Social Problems
Substance-Related Disorders
Syphilis
Urethritis
Surveys and Questionnaires