termined by Nugent’s score 7. Over the 12 month follow-up period, 99 incident STDs were documented (n 33 GC, 38 CT, 28 TV). Fifteen infections were combination infections. The overall STD rate was 12.7%. Women who were positive for any STD at baseline were nearly twice as likely to develop incident STDs (RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.08. 2.84). Women randomized to the douching cessation intervention were less likely to develop STDs (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37, 0.93). Women who were BV positive at baseline seemed, although not significantly, more likely to develop STDs (RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.97, 1.56). The number of sexual partners, condom use, recent sex and particular douching behaviors were not associated with STD positivity. Conclusions: Risk factors for incident STDs in young women are complex, likely involving biologic as well as social issues like partner treatment, partner re-infection, and partner selection. Interventions addressing the reproductive health of young women, particularly sexually transmitted diseases, will need to be more inclusive of the sexual partners. Support: NIAID (U19A13814-UAB CRC). PII: S1054-139X(04)00361-1
