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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Ping Du1, Louise-Anne McNutt, PhD1, Rosalind Thomas2, and F. Bruce Coles2. (1) Department of Epidemiology, University at Albany, School of Public Health, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, 518-402-0326, pd7561@csc.albany.edu, (2) Bureau of STD Control, New York State Department of Health, NYSDOH, Empire State Plaza, Corning Tower, Room 1168, albany, NY 12237
Telephone surveys response rates are dropping, resulting in potential selection bias and increased cost. Studies in sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics offer an opportunity to study STD-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors (KAB). However, little research has been done to understand how comparable STD clinic clients are to the population living in the area the clinic serves who are at high risk for STDs. We assessed the comparability of the results from a study on STD-related KAB conducted in STD clinics with a study conducted in the same communities among high-risk individuals. An STD clinic and a community sample were selected from each of two urban areas in New York State. At each STD clinic, 100 individuals were interviewed in fall 1997. In each community, about 400 individuals were selected using random-digit dialing during the same period. Community sample subjects were defined as having high-risk profiles based on four items related to their sexual behaviors (e.g., multiple partners). The STD clinic samples were younger and had a larger proportion of men compared to the high-risk community samples. High-risk community subjects were more likely to perceive seeking health care for STDs in private physician’s offices (52%) than at STD clinics (28%). Overall STD-related knowledge and attitudes were similar between STD clinic and high-risk community samples, however, some inconsistencies existed on specific items. The results from our study indicate that STD clinic samples may provide similar summary measures of knowledge and attitudes as more costly telephone surveys conducted in the community.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.