Determinants of genital wart case detection rates among STD clinic attendees in Athens, Greece.

Background And Objective: To report significant sociodemographic and behavioral outpatient characteristics associated with the diagnosis of genital warts.

Methods: Cross-sectional hospital-based study (1990-96).

Results: Genital warts (n = 2988, 51.2%) represent the leading sexually transmitted disease (STD) among 5831 consecutive symptomatic Greek and foreign immigrant STD outpatients. In Greek heterosexuals a low rate of partner change was the main patient characteristic at diagnosis (median: one partner in the past 6 months). Lower detection rate and riskier behavior characterized immigrants. Although associated with risky behavior, homo/bisexual orientation in males and injecting drug use were not significantly associated with condyloma diagnosis in the context of STDs.

Conclusion: Broader health education and secondary prevention are needed to control this infection, whereas low-risk behavior in Greek heterosexuals with condylomata facilitates further preventive interventions.