[Sexually transmitted diseases: epidemiological characteristics of cases notified in the health service of Viña del Mar-Quillota].

During 1987 and 1988 sexually transmitted diseases affected 87.2 per 100,000 inhabitants of the Viña del Mar-Quillota area. At all ages rates were 3.8 times higher in males compared to females. Gonorrhoea, syphilis and non gonorrheal urethritis accounted for most cases. In males, 82% of cases corresponded to gonorrhoea, in females 50% corresponded to gonorrhoea and 50% to syphilis. Rural and urban figures were not significantly different, except for HIV infection which was predominantly urban. Rates of different infections peaked at different ages: HIV between 30 and 39, gonorrhoea from 15 to 29, syphilis from 40 to 49 and after 60 and non gonorrhoeal urethritis from 15 to 59. In a survey of affected subjects 85% manifested to be heterosexual, 10% omitted a response.