Demographic and Behavioral Differences between Latino and non-Latino Patients Attending Baltimore City STD Clinics 2002-2007

Background:
Sexually transmitted infections disproportionately affect the Latino community in the U.S., but limited information exists on behavioral risk factors and condom use in this population.

Objective:
To compare demographic characteristics and behavioral risk factors between Latino and non-Latino patients attending the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) STD clinics.

Method:
We examined medical records from the first visit for patients attending the clinics between 2002-2007. Ethnicity was self-reported. We used Chi-square analysis to test for differences in demographic and risk factors between Latino and non-Latino patients. IRB approval was obtained from the participating agencies.

Result:
There were 1217 Latino and 55,706 non-Latino patients seen at the BCHD STD clinics between 2002-2007. Latino patients and non-Latino patients had similar distributions of gender (60% male vs. 58% male, respectively) and age (mean age: 29.5 vs. 30.8). There was no difference in reported same-sex contact in Latino male patients compared to non-Latino male patients (4% vs. 4%), but there were differences in other behavioral risk factors. Male Latino patients were significantly more likely to report condom use at last sexual intercourse than male non-Latino patients (26% vs. 20%, p<.0001) Little difference was seen in reported condom use at last sexual intercourse by Latina female patients compared to non-Latina female patients (15% vs. 17%, NS). Latino patients were about half as likely as non-Latinos to report injection drug use (14% vs. 26%, respectively) , commercial sex work (19% vs. 27%), or to report that a partner has engaged in either behavior (injection: 13% vs. 27%; sex work: 16% vs. 25%).

Conclusion:
Latino STD clinic patients are less likely to have traditional sexual and behavioral risk behaviors than non-Latino patients.

Implications:
A thorough understanding of circumstances contributing to risk may help shape appropriate counseling strategies and interventions.