The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of STD, cervical abnormalities and contraceptive usage in refugees and immigrants from the former Yugoslavia. A retrospective review of case notes of all 'Yugoslavian' patients and a comparison group of non-Yugoslavians attending our clinic from April 1991 to March 1996 was undertaken at an inner London Genito-urinary Medicine Clinic. Patients self identified as originating from the former Yugoslavia. A total of 196 'Yugoslavians' were identified; 117 women and 79 men, 48% of 'Yugoslavian' women reported no contraceptive use compared with 30.4% of controls (p=0.01). In 'Yugoslavian' women, 30.5% had never had a cervical smear compared to 17.5% of the control group (p=0.042). Forty percent of 'Yugoslavian' women had an abnormal smear compared with 21.2% of controls (p=0.05), 31.9% 'Yugoslavian' women had a past history of one or more terminations of pregnancy (TOP) compared with 20.4% controls (p=0.049). The incidence of bacterial STD in those screened was significantly higher in the study group (26% vs 16% p=0.017). It is suggested that the sexual health of this population should be energetically appraised if the negative impact of repeated TOP, cervical cancer and risk of STD is to be avoided.The number of patients attending an HIV/genito-urinary clinic in London, England, who identified themselves as originating from the former Yugoslavia increased significantly from 1991-96. These refugees are considered at increased risk of tuberculosis, hepatitis B carriage, scabies, and lice infestation. A retrospective case review was conducted of the 196 such patients (117 women and 79 men); their mean age was 27.2 years. 48% of Yugoslavian refugees, compared with 30.4% of age-matched UK controls presenting to the same clinic, reported no contraceptive use. The methods most commonly selected by Yugoslavians were condoms (32.7%) and combined oral contraceptives (27.8%). 30.5% of refugee women, compared with 17.5% of controls, had never had a cervical smear; the proportions with an abnormal smear were 40% and 21.2%, respectively. 31.9% of Yugoslavian women, compared with 20.4% of controls, reported one more previous pregnancy termination. 34% of Yugoslavians and 27% of controls presented with a sexually transmitted disease (STD); the proportions with a previous STD history were 17.5% and 20.1%, respectively. Hepatitis B prevalence was similar in both groups: 11.8% and 13%, respectively. Overall, these findings indicate that refugees from the former Yugoslavia have a number of unmet sexual health needs, especially women, who have a high incidence of past induced abortion, a failure to access cervical screening programs, and a need for contraception.

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Studies Research Methodology biology Abortion, Induced immigrant Comparative Studies Infections Reproductive Medicine refugee Family Planning Services cytology economics physiology population Reproductive Tract Infections Europe Northern Europe Migrants Research Design Population Dynamics demography Research Report human Refugees Needs controlled study Developed Countries measurement Fertility Control, Postconception Yugoslavia Great Britain Disease Health Services Needs and Demand sexually transmitted disease uterus health Sexually Transmitted Diseases pregnancy termination Viral Diseases male England Diseases female Virus Diseases Contraception Yugoslavia (pre-1992) uterine cervix cytology prevalence hepatitis Article Cervix uterine cervix disease Southern Europe Genitalia, Female Cervical Effects major clinical study adult Genitalia migration Urogenital System bacterial infection Cervix Uteri United Kingdom Contraceptive Usage Demographic Factors Reproductive Health research Emigration and Immigration infection Economic Factors Transients and Migrants Contraception Behavior family planning immigrants