Objectives: This study examined in both sexes whether genital mycosis is as strongly associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) sexual risk behavior as are other sexually transmitted diseases.
Methods: Heterosexuals in the French National Survey of Sexual Behavior who reported a history of either mycosis or another sexually transmitted disease in the previous 5 years were compared with heterosexuals who reported no such disease. Odds ratios were adjusted for age, education, place of residence, and number of sexual partners.
Results: Among men, mycosis and other sexually transmitted diseases showed similar associations with age and number of sexual partners. Among women, mycosis was also associated with a high number of sexual partners, albeit to a lesser extent than other sexually transmitted diseases. Lifetime experience of heterosexual anal penetration was reported significantly more often by men with a history of mycosis.
Conclusion: These results suggest that most male mycosis is sexually acquired and constitutes a self-reported indicator as good as other sexually transmitted diseases for high risk. Female mycosis may help define an intermediate HIV risk group.