relation: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/8700/
title: Predictors of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening Behaviors Among High-Risk Young Women
creator: Tyus, Nadra Chante
description: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing among sexually active young women is essential in preventing and controlling the STD epidemic. STD testing is critical because infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are primarily asymptomatic in women. If women do not routinely test for STDs, this can facilitate the spread of these diseases and lead to serious sequelae. The research presented explores socio-demographic, psychosocial, and health-related factors that may be associated with young women's STD testing behaviors. The Health Belief Model (HBM) provides the theoretical framework for explaining the relationships that exist between background factors, HBM perceptions of STDs and STD testing, and the total number of STD tests completed during the two-year study. The population studied for this research is a sample of 14 -29 year old women, approximately 80% of whom are African-American. Univariate regression analysis between background factors and the outcome indicated that age, race, education, having symptoms of an STD at baseline, current antibiotic use, and having condom problems were associated with an increasing number of STD tests completed. A similar analysis between HBM perception variables and the outcome showed that only perceived severity was significant. A multivariate stepwise linear regression model of significant background and perception factors revealed that having symptoms at baseline, current antibiotic use, and having condom problems were significant to an increasing number of total STD tests completed. These findings demonstrate that an assessment of behaviors and current health status of young women can be helpful in understanding utilization of STD services. The results also suggest that the HBM may not be sufficient in characterizing STD testing behaviors, however, improved measures of these constructs can better assess trends in the data. The public health significance of this study is that it provides theoretical and empirical attention to factors associated with STD testing behaviors, an area of research that has received limited consideration.
date: 2005-09-13
type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
type: PeerReviewed
format: application/pdf
language: en
identifier: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/8700/1/tyusnc1_etd2005.pdf
identifier:   Tyus, Nadra Chante  (2005) Predictors of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Screening Behaviors Among High-Risk Young Women.  Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.    (Unpublished)