چکیده (انگلیسی):

Background:Currently, surveillance of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among ethnic minorities (EM) in the
Netherlands is mainly performed using data from STI centers, while the general practitioner (GP) is the most
important STI care provider. We determined the frequency of STI-related episodes at the general practice among
EM, and compared this with the native Dutch population.
Methods:Electronic medical records from 15–to 60-year-old patients registered in a general practice network from
2002 to 2011 were linked to the population registry, to obtain (parental) country of birth. Using diagnoses and
prescription codes, we investigated the number of STI-related episodes per 100,000 patient years by ethnicity.
Logistic regression analyses (crude and adjusted for gender, age, and degree of urbanization) were performed for
2011 to investigate differences between EM and native Dutch.
Results:The reporting rate of STI-related episodes increased from 2004 to 2011 among all ethnic groups, and was
higher among EM than among native Dutch, except for Turkish EM. After adjustment for gender, age, and degree
of urbanization, the reporting rate in 2011 was higher among Surinamese [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.99, 95 % confidence
interval (CI) 1.70-2.33], Antillean/Aruban (OR 2.48, 95 % CI 2.04-3.01), and Western EM (OR 1.24, 95 % CI 1.11-1.39)
compared with native Dutch, whereas it was lower among Turkish EM (OR 0.48, 95 % CI 0.37-0.61). Women
consulted the GP relatively more frequently regarding STIs than men, except for Turkish and Moroccan women.
Conclusions:Most EM consult their GP more often for STI care than native Dutch. However, it remains unclear
whether this covers the need of EM groups at higher STI risk. As a first point of contact for care, GPs can play an
important role in reaching EM for (proactive) STI/HIV testing.