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STIs during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hungary: Gonorrhea as a Potential Indicator of Sexual Behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Kende Lőrincz

    (Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Fanni Adél Meznerics

    (Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Antal Jobbágy

    (Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Norbert Kiss

    (Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Mária Madarász

    (Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Laura Belvon

    (Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Béla Tóth

    (Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Béla Tamási

    (Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Norbert Miklós Wikonkál

    (Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Márta Marschalkó

    (Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary)

  • András Bánvölgyi

    (Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary)

Abstract

The social distancing measures introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected the sexual behavior of the population. We collected data retrospectively from the National STD Center of Hungary. The overall patient influx data of the STD Center and the number of patients diagnosed with syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea infections were assessed in the three-month period of 2020 when the strict governmental lockdown was introduced in Hungary. Data were compared to the pre- and post-lockdown quarters of 2020 and matched to the respective quarters of 2018 and 2019. The number of patients diagnosed with syphilis and chlamydia infections in 2020 during the lockdown decreased compared to 2018 and 2019, while the number of gonorrhea cases increased. The lower number of STI screenings resulted in a significant decrease in asymptomatic syphilis and chlamydia case numbers. However, the growing number of gonorrhea cases in 2020 during lockdown highlights that sexual behavior remained unchanged regardless of restrictions. Therefore, gonorrhea may be considered as an indicator of STI incidences during the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Kende Lőrincz & Fanni Adél Meznerics & Antal Jobbágy & Norbert Kiss & Mária Madarász & Laura Belvon & Béla Tóth & Béla Tamási & Norbert Miklós Wikonkál & Márta Marschalkó & András Bánvölgyi, 2022. "STIs during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hungary: Gonorrhea as a Potential Indicator of Sexual Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-7, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9627-:d:880896
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Carmen Cantisani & Federica Rega & Luca Ambrosio & Teresa Grieco & Norbert Kiss & Fanni Adél Meznerics & András Bánvölgyi & Giordano Vespasiani & Francesca Arienzo & Giovanni Rossi & Giuseppe Soda & G, 2023. "Syphilis, the Great Imitator—Clinical and Dermoscopic Features of a Rare Presentation of Secondary Syphilis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-10, January.

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