SELF-REPORTED PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE IN THE UNITED-STATES, 1988

Objective. - To assess any changes in the characteristics of women with self-reported pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) between 1982 and 1988 and to evaluate the role of additional behavioral factors. In 1982, PID was a frequent problem among American women of reproductive age, occurring in one in seven. It was also more common among older (greater-than-or-equal-to 30 years) than younger women, more common among blacks than among whites, and more common among formerly married women than among those currently married. Design. - We analyzed data on self-reported PID from the cycle IV National Survey of Family Growth, conducted in 1988. Sample. - The survey was conducted with a multistage probability sample of 8450 women. Results. - The findings from 1982 were all replicated. Additional variables available in 1988 show that PID is more common among women with multiple (two or more) sexual partners (10% to 22%) compared with those with only one lifetime partner (7%) and among women who report a history of sexually transmitted disease (STD) (26%) compared with those with no STD history (10%). Controlling for other variables, age, race, vaginal douching, age at first intercourse, STD history, and number of lifetime partners emerged as independent predictors of self-reported PID among American women of reproductive age. Conclusion. - PID is still a widely prevalent condition among American women; PID is associated with a variety of risk factors for STD. Prevention of lower genital tract infection is crucial to avoiding PID and its sequelae.