Adolescent knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases
Clark, L.R.; Jackson, M.; Allen-Taylor, L.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 29(8): 436-443
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0148-5717 PMID: 12172527 DOI: 10.1097/00007435-200208000-00002Document Number: 242671
Background: Adolescents learn about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) from many sources, yet little is known about how well these educational sources are teaching them about STDs. Goal: The goal was to assess basic knowledge about STDs and their prevalence, to determine the correlates of high STD knowledge levels, and to explore whether self-perceptions of STD knowledge correlated with knowledge test scores. Study Design: A convenience sample of adolescents from waiting areas in an urban children's hospital were asked by peer educators about their STD education, the sources of this education, and their self-perception of their STD knowledge. They then were given a short assessment testing their knowledge of major, incurable, and curable STDs. Results: In the 393 surveys collected from adolescents aged 12 to 21 years (mean =0.31; P<0.0001), as well as between knowledge score and self-perception of STD knowledge (r=0.23; P<0.0001). Adolescents educated by parents, school, other relatives, and friends performed better than those educated by other sources. Those educated by multiple sources outperformed those educated by one source. Conclusions: Adolescents' specific knowledge about non-HIV STDs is only cursory, despite their reports of having received education about STDs. We must attempt to improve and balance our STD education so that adolescents receive and retain detailed age-appropriate STD information that is consistent with their risk for disease.