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) | ||||
<26 | 242 (25.4) | 140 (21.3) | Ref | Ref |
≥26 | 711 (74.6) | 518 (78.7) | 1.3 (1.0 to 1.6) | 0.9 (0.7 to 1.2) |
Ethnicity (baseline) | ||||
Dutch | 857 (89.9) | 584 (88.8) | Ref | NT |
Non-Western | 62 (6.5) | 47 (7.1) | 1.1 (0.8 to 1.6) | |
Other Western | 34 (3.6) | 27 (4.1) | 1.2 (0.7 to 2.0) | |
Socioeconomic status (baseline) | ||||
Low | 281 (29.5) | 183 (27.8) | 1.0 (0.7 to 1.2) | NT |
Intermediate | 349 (36.6) | 256 (38.9) | 1.1 (0.9 to 1.4) | |
High | 300 (31.5) | 203 (30.9) | Ref | |
Missing | 23 (2.4) | 16 (2.4) | ||
Mean number of partners | ||||
<2 | 122 (12.9) | 67 (10.3) | Ref | Ref |
2–5 | 406 (43.0) | 227 (35.0) | 1.0 (0.7 to 1.4) | 1.0 (0.7 to 1.5) |
≥5 | 416 (44.1) | 354 (54.6) | 1.6 (1.1 to 2.2) | 1.2 (0.8 to 1.8) |
Missing | 9 (0.0) | 10 (0.0) | ||
Notified by a partner | ||||
Never | 511 (53.6) | 267 (40.6) | Ref | Ref |
Ever | 442 (46.4) | 391 (59.4) | 1.7 (1.4 to 2.1) | 1.1 (0.9 to 1.4) |
Diagnosed with an STI | ||||
Never | 505 (53.0) | 233 (35.4) | Ref | Ref |
Ever | 448 (47.0) | 425 (64.6) | 2.1 (1.7 to 2.6) | 1.4 (1.1 to 1.7) |
STI-related symptoms | ||||
Never | 454 (47.6) | 273 (41.5) | Ref | Ref |
Ever | 499 (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 women | 232 (24.3) | 212 (32.2) | Ref | Ref |
Sex with men only | 714 (74.9) | 442 (67.2) | 0.7 (0.5 to 0.8) | 0.6 (0.5 to 0.8) |
Unknown | 7 (0.7) | 4 (0.6) | ||
Diagnosed with HIV | ||||
Never | 860 (90.2) | 568 (86.3) | Ref | Ref |
Ever | 93 (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.