Analysis of the sociodemography of gonorrhoea in Leeds, 1989-93.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the epidemiology of gonorrhoea in an urban area in the United Kingdom.

DESIGN

Analysis of all cases of gonorrhoea with regard to age, sex, ethnic group, and socioeconomic group with 1991 census data as a denominator.

SETTING

Leeds, a comparatively large urban area (population around 700,000) in the United Kingdom.

SUBJECTS: All residents of Leeds with culture proved cases of gonorrhoea during 1989-95.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Relative risk of gonorrhoea.

RESULTS

Sex, age, race, and socioeconomic group and area of residence were all independently predictive of risk of infection. Young black men aged 20-29 were at highest risk, with incidences of 3-4% per year. Black subjects were 10 times more likely than white subjects to acquire infection, and subjects from the most deprived socioeconomic areas were more than four times more likely than those from the most affluent areas to acquire infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Different ethnic and socioeconomic groups vary in their risk of infection with gonorrhoea within an urban area. Targeted interventions and screening to reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted disease are now priorities.