Results of an inquiry: the preventive aspect of sexual transmission is an important part of the work of family planning departments
Persson, E.; Beckman-Nahmias, S.
Lakartidningen 86(43): 3653-3654
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-7205 PMID: 2811521 Document Number: 369305
The effects of the current campaign in Sweden to decrease the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are difficult to evaluate because little data is available on the sexual habits of Swedish people during the time before the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) campaign began. This paper presents the results of a limited survey which was performed in 1987 with 189 pregnant women who were admitted to 2 maternal care centers in northern Stockholm and who agreed to participate anonymously by answering a multiple choice questionnaire. The women ranged in age from 18-44 years with a mean of 28.2. 93% of them were married or living with someone; 5% had a steady partner but were not living with him; and 2% were alone. 39% of the women stated that they had some type of sexually transmitted disease (chlamydia, gonorrhea, condyloma, herpes, trichomonas, syphilis, crab lice, cervicitis-salpingitis without known microbial genesis). 1.3 of these women belonged to the group who had had 5 partners. This survey shows that a population of ordinary Swedish women who were planning a birth during 1989 had good knowledge of, and had access to, contraceptives. Although the majority had had relatively few sexual partners, a large proportion of then had, nevertheless, acquired sexually transmitted disease. This study indicates that expanded activity for diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted disease and increased use of condoms as a barrier to infection are important for preventing this type of disease in the future.