Table 1

Characteristics of the frequently and infrequently tested groups and the determinants of test frequency for MSM who visited an STI clinic in the eastern part of the Netherlands, 2008–2013

Infrequently tested (n=953)
n (%)
Frequently tested (n=658)
n (%)
Frequently versus infrequently tested
Univariable analyses
OR (95% CI)
Multivariable analysis
OR (95% CI)
Median number of consultations (IQR)4  (3–5)6 (4–9)
Age (in years at baseline)
 <26242 (25.4)140 (21.3)RefRef
 ≥26711 (74.6)518 (78.7) 1.3 (1.0 to 1.6) 0.9 (0.7 to 1.2)
Ethnicity (baseline)
 Dutch857 (89.9)584 (88.8)RefNT
 Non-Western62 (6.5)47 (7.1)1.1 (0.8 to 1.6)
 Other Western34 (3.6)27 (4.1)1.2 (0.7 to 2.0)
Socioeconomic status (baseline)
 Low281 (29.5)183 (27.8)1.0 (0.7 to 1.2)NT
 Intermediate349 (36.6)256 (38.9)1.1 (0.9 to 1.4)
 High300 (31.5)203 (30.9)Ref
 Missing23 (2.4)16 (2.4)
Mean number of partners
 <2122 (12.9)67 (10.3)RefRef
 2–5406 (43.0)227 (35.0)1.0 (0.7 to 1.4)1.0 (0.7 to 1.5)
 ≥5416 (44.1)354 (54.6) 1.6 (1.1 to 2.2) 1.2 (0.8 to 1.8)
 Missing9 (0.0)10 (0.0)
Notified by a partner
 Never511 (53.6)267 (40.6)RefRef
 Ever442 (46.4)391 (59.4) 1.7 (1.4 to 2.1) 1.1 (0.9 to 1.4)
Diagnosed with an STI
 Never505 (53.0)233 (35.4)RefRef
 Ever448 (47.0)425 (64.6) 2.1 (1.7 to 2.6) 1.4 (1.1 to 1.7)
STI-related symptoms
 Never454 (47.6)273 (41.5)RefRef
 Ever499 (52.4)385 (58.5) 1.3 (1.1 to 1.6) 0.8 (0.6 to 1.0)
Sexual preference
 Sex with men and women232 (24.3)212 (32.2)RefRef
 Sex with men only714 (74.9)442 (67.2) 0.7 (0.5 to 0.8) 0.6 (0.5 to 0.8)
 Unknown7 (0.7)4 (0.6)
Diagnosed with HIV
 Never860 (90.2)568 (86.3)RefRef
 Ever93 (9.8)90 (13.7) 1.5 (1.1 to 2.0) 0.8 (0.5 to 1.2)
  • Values in bold were significant (p<0.05); due to rounding into 1 decimal, 1.0 is not always significant.

  • Regression analysis corrected for the number of consultations.

  • MSM, men who have sex with men; NT, not tested in multivariable model, since p>0.20 in univariate analysis; ref, reference; STI, sexually transmitted infection.