RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 STI prevalence and associated factors among urban men in Pakistan JF Sexually Transmitted Infections JO Sex Transm Infect FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 199 OP 200 DO 10.1136/sti.2008.034165 VO 85 IS 3 A1 A M Mir A1 A Wajid A1 L Reichenbach A1 M Khan YR 2009 UL http://sti.bmj.com/content/85/3/199.abstract AB Objectives: To measure the prevalence of selected sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among urban men in Pakistan and identify associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 2400 urban men aged 16ā€“45 years was carried out in six cities of Pakistan. Respondents were selected through a multistage systematic sampling design. After obtaining informed consent a structured behavioural questionnaire was administered. Blood and urine samples were also collected and tested for HIV (ELISA), HSV-2 (ELISA) syphilis (RPR and TPHA), chlamydia (PCR) and gonorrhoea (PCR). Results: Of the 2383 respondents whose results were received, 4.4% (nā€Š=ā€Š106) tested positive for at least one of the five STIs. The prevalence of the individual organisms was as follows: syphilis, 1.3%; HIV, 0.1%; HSV-2, 3.4%; gonorrhoea, 0.8% and chlamydia, no cases. City-wise, the highest prevalence was in Karachi (8.5%) followed by Lahore (5.3%), Faisalabad (4.0%) Quetta (4.3%), Rawalpindi (2.5%) and Peshawar (2.0%). At the univariate and multivariate level, older age, less schooling, and having more than four sexual partners were significantly associated with the presence of an STI. 92% of men who tested positive for any STI were asymptomatic. Conclusions: HIV prevalence in Pakistan remains low, however, the emergence of genital herpes is a matter of concern as it could lead to a future conduit for HIV spread. Health education messages should target less educated segments of society and specifically advocate safe sex practices and early diagnosis.