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Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Adolescents in the Houston Area Presenting for Reproductive Healthcare at Texas Children’s Hospital
- Source :
- Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. 25:213-217
- Publication Year :
- 2012
- Publisher :
- Elsevier BV, 2012.
-
Abstract
- Objective Studies indicate a deficiency in knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents, yet adolescents comprise 25% of the sexually active (SA) population and account for 48% of STIs acquired annually. This survey assesses knowledge of STIs among adolescent females. The goal of this study was to assess knowledge of STIs and how it relates to safe sex behaviors and educational access. Design A confidential 10-question STI survey was administered to a convenience sample of female adolescents. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and linear regression analysis. Setting Texas Children’s Hospital Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Clinic. Interventions None. Participants Seventy-five female participants between the ages of 10–21 years. Main Outcome Measures Age, sexual activity, educational access, preferred methods of risk reduction and questions answered correctly on the STI survey. Results The mean age of participants was 14.9 ± 2.4 years; mean age of menarche was 10.9 ± 2.9 years. Based on survey responses, all adolescents demonstrated similar knowledge of specific STIs regardless of demographic factors. However, middle and late adolescent groups had increased awareness of STIs. SA participants (36%) were more likely to choose 2 or more methods of risk reduction compared to non-SA participants (P = 0.014). There was no correlation between educational access and preferred methods of risk reduction even though 92% of respondents reported receiving STI education from school, parents, or peers. Conclusions Current efforts at STI education are not effective. Different approaches to STI education are necessary to increase knowledge and motivate adolescents to reduce high risk behaviors.
- Subjects :
- Safe Sex
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Pediatrics
medicine.medical_specialty
Adolescent
Adolescent gynecology
Late adolescent
Population
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Psychological intervention
Pilot Projects
Models, Psychological
Young Adult
Sexually active
Surveys and Questionnaires
Humans
Medicine
Child
education
Health Education
education.field_of_study
Chi-Square Distribution
Descriptive statistics
business.industry
Obstetrics and Gynecology
General Medicine
Hospitals, Pediatric
Health Surveys
Texas
Reproductive healthcare
Cross-Sectional Studies
Adolescent Health Services
Family medicine
Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
Linear Models
Menarche
Female
Reproductive Health Services
business
Risk Reduction Behavior
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 10833188
- Volume :
- 25
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....dc3e5fb6d9802dd2d1afb117053b9f3b