Factors associated with appropriate physician management of sexually transmitted diseases in an urban Canadian center.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

To explore physicians' management of selected sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), because previous studies suggest that physicians' management practices could be improved.

GOALS: To determine the estimated annual incidence of STD seen by family/general practitioners (FPs), gynecologists (GYNs) and urologists (UROLs), adequacy of STD management practices, and any associations with demographic and other characteristics.

STUDY

DESIGN

A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to GYNs, UROLs, and a random sample of FPs in Hamilton, Ontario.

RESULTS

Eighty-one of 102 (79.4%) FPs, 27 of 32 (84.4%) GYNs, and 7 of 8 (87.5%) UROLs responded. Vaginitis, male urethritis, and genital warts in women were the most frequently observed STDs. The treatment of bacterial vaginosis and pelvic inflammatory disease were most frequently at variance with published guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

Deficiencies exist in physicians' management of both common and potentially serious STD problems.