Sexually Transmitted Infections
Volume 87, Issue 4, 2011, Pages 331-336

Factors associated with genitourinary medicine clinic attendance and sexually transmitted infection diagnosis among central and east European migrants in London (Article)

Evans A.R. , Mercer C.H. , Parutis V. , Hart G.J. , Mole R. , Gerry C.J. , Burns F.M.
  • a Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  • b Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  • c School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  • d Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  • e School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  • f School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  • g Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Objectives: There has been a large influx of central and east European (CEE) migrants to the UK following the expansion of the European Union. This paper examines factors associated with genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic attendance and sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis among CEE migrants in London. Methods: A survey of sexual behaviour was conducted among CEE migrants attending two central London GUM clinics (n=299) and community venues in London (n=2276). Routinely collected clinic data were also analysed. Results: CEE migrants made up 2.9% of male and 7.0% of female attendees at the clinics. Half the women attending sessions for female sex workers were from CEE countries, and paying for sex was widely reported by men. Women were more likely than men to have attended a GUM clinic in the UK (7.6% vs 4.5%, p=0.002). GUM survey respondents were more likely than community survey respondents to report one or more new sexual partners in the past year (women 67.9% vs 28.3%, p<0.001; men 75.6% vs 45.1%, p<0.001) and homosexual partnership(s) in the past 5 years (men 54.3% vs 1.8%, p<0.001), but were less likely to report assortative heterosexual mixing (women 25.9% vs 74.2%, p<0.001; men 56.5% vs 76.3%, p<0.001). Conclusions CEE patients make up a notable minority of patients attending two central London GUM clinics. Higher numbers of sexual partners, homosexual partnerships and sexual mixing with people from outside the country of origin are associated with GUM clinic attendance. Heterosexual CEE men report behaviours associated with HIV/STI acquisition but appear to be underutilising GUM services.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Europe, Eastern HIV Infections sexual behavior recreational drug Europe London human Health Behavior sexuality middle aged Sexual Partners condom Condoms priority journal Aged Eastern Europe sexually transmitted disease Cross-Sectional Studies heterosexuality Sexually Transmitted Diseases Young Adult cross-sectional study homosexuality Humans Adolescent male female Socioeconomic Factors risk factor questionnaire Article Urogenital System Questionnaires Venereology adult migration major clinical study United Kingdom ambulatory care Patient Acceptance of Health Care hospital Transients and Migrants retrospective study health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79956279946&doi=10.1136%2fsti.2010.046839&partnerID=40&md5=020357fea5cbfc935851107b2761b72b
DOI: 10.1136/sti.2010.046839
ISSN: 13684973
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English