Gender Differences in Health Care-Seeking Behavior for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

In Brief Background: Health care-seeking behavior for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is important in STD/HIV control. Goal: The goal of this study was to describe the proportion seeking care, patient delay, and choice of provider among men and women with STD-related complaints in Nairobi, Kenya. Study Design: A population-based questionnaire was administered in 7 randomly selected clusters (small geographic areas covering approximately 150 households each). Results: Of the 291 respondents reporting complaints, 20% of men versus 35% of women did not seek care, mainly because symptoms were not considered severe, symptoms had disappeared, or as a result of lack of money. Of those who sought care, women waited longer than men (41 vs. 16 days). Most men and women went to the private sector (72% and 57%, respectively), whereas the informal sector was rarely visited (13% and 16%, respectively). Relatively more women visited the government sector (28% vs. 15%). Because women were mostly monogamous, they did not relate their complaints to sexual intercourse, which hampered prompt care-seeking. Conclusion: Women should be convinced to seek care promptly, eg, through health education in communities. Large gender differences are found in seeking care, patient delay, and visiting the government sector. Because women are mostly monogamous, they do not relate their complaints to sexual intercourse, which hampers prompt care seeking.