PUBLIC HEALTH

New sexual partners and readiness to seek screening for chlamydia and gonorrhoea: predictors among minority young women

M R Chacko¹, C M Wiemann¹, C A Kozinetz¹, R J DiClemente³, P B Smith², M M Velasquez⁴ and K von Sternberg⁴

¹ Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
² Baylor College of Medicine, TX, USA
³ Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
⁴ University of Texas Medical Branch, Houston, TX, USA

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Mariam Chacko MD
Texas Children’s Hospital, Clinical Care Center, 6621 Fannin, CC610.01, Houston, TX 77030–2399, USA; mchacko{at}bcm.edu

Objectives: To determine (1) level of readiness and (2) demographic and behavioural predictors of readiness to seek chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhoea (NGC) screening in the absence of symptoms after sex with a "new" partner.

Methods: Baseline data, obtained as part of a larger randomised controlled clinical trial in young women, were analysed. Readiness to seek screening for CT and NGC after sex with a "new" partner was assessed using the stages of change framework from the transtheoretical model of change—precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, and action. Ordinal logistic regression, using the proportional odds model, was used to determine predictors of being in action for or having already been screened for CT and NGC after sex with a "new" partner.

Results: The sample consisted of 376 predominantly African American (67%) young women (mean age 18.5 (SD 1.4) years). The distribution of readiness to seek CT and NGC screening was 4% precontemplation, 11% contemplation, 28% preparation, and 57% action. The best fitting logistic model that predicted being in action for seeking screening after sex with a "new" partner included high perceived seriousness of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.89), and having "other" (not steady) partners in the last 6 months (OR = 0.50, 95% C.I. 0.32 to 0.78)

Conclusions: Many young women report that they were not getting screened for CT and NGC after sex with a "new" partner and therefore may be at increased risk of an untreated STI. Enhancing level of perceived seriousness of acquiring an STI from a "new" partner may increase a young woman’s readiness to seek screening after initiating a new sexual relationship.

Abbreviations: CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CT, Chlamydia trachomatis; NGC, non-gonococcal cervicitis; PID, pelvic inflammatory disease; TTM, transtheoretical model of change

Keywords: STI; screening; chlamydia; gonorrhoea

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Schwartz, R. M., Hogben, M., Liddon, N., Augenbraun, M., Mccormack, W. M., Rubin, S., Wilson, T. E. (2008). Coping with a Diagnosis of C Trachomatis or N Gonorrhoeae: Psychosocial and Behavioral Correlates. J Health Psychol 13: 921-929 [Abstract]  
• Blake, D. R., Lemay, C. A., Indurkhya, A. (2007). Correlates of Readiness to Receive Chlamydia Screening Among 2 Populations of Youths. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 161: 1088-1094 [Abstract] [Full Text]