Study Highlights S.t.d. Risks (Press, 2 December 1987)

A study conducted by Dr Dorothy Baczkowski, a medical geographer, has revealed that homosexual and bisexual men in higher social and economic groups are more prone to contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This research was based on data from 7,000 patients at Sydney STD clinics. The findings indicated that bisexual men, who are overrepresented in higher occupational categories, are particularly likely to contract various types of STDs. In contrast, women were found to be more susceptible to herpes than to gonorrhoea or syphilis. The research highlighted a low percentage of Australian-born patients, with a significant number of tourists and migrants, particularly from New Zealand, Europe, and the Pacific. However, patients from Asia and Africa were represented in normal population proportions. The central business district of Sydney reported the highest incidence of STDs. Dr Baczkowski's PhD research from Macquarie University showcased the distinct relationship between sexual orientation and the types of STDs contracted. It was discovered that male homosexuals were more likely to contract gonorrhoea and syphilis rather than the herpes simplex virus. Conversely, females were more prone to herpes and less likely than males to contract gonorrhoea. Bisexual individuals showed the same level of gonorrhoea infection as heterosexual males but had a notably high incidence of syphilis. The findings have significant implications for AIDS prevention efforts. Dr Baczkowski noted that a smaller questionnaire revealed that half of the participants attributed their STD contraction to fate, indicating a concerning attitude towards personal responsibility in sexual behaviour. She emphasised that this perception could be troubling when considering the context of AIDS. Moreover, her survey indicated that many respondents viewed locations outside Sydney, especially overseas cities, as key sources of infection, except for women who often reported “home” as their primary location for sexual encounters. Dr Baczkowski also suggested that herpes is often contracted within long-term relationships, particularly in marriages. Though the clinic population does not fully represent the larger Sydney population, it likely serves as a representative sample of the STD demographic. Dr Baczkowski, who is also a former nurse and current educator at Mosman High School in Sydney, completed her PhD in September 1987.

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