STD-related care seeking among adolescents in Baltimore

描述（由申请人提供）：延迟寻求筛查和获得性传播疾病（STD）治疗是一个重大的公共卫生问题。延误医疗护理的人更有可能将感染传染给他人，感染艾滋病毒的风险增加，并且有更大的可能性出现不良后遗症。少数研究之一，检查青少年的性病相关的寻求护理的行为显示，有症状的女性延迟寻求性病相关的护理显着长于无症状的女性和有症状的男性。摘要本研究旨在探讨马里兰州巴尔的摩15-24岁年轻女性性病相关求医行为的个体、关系及环境因素。具体目标是：1）探索与年轻女性发现症状的能力相关的因素以及她们用来描述这些症状的术语; 2）确定年轻女性通常采取的应对性病症状的行动类型以及影响年轻女性性病相关寻求护理行为的因素; 3）确定影响年轻女性决定与性伴侣讨论性病症状和/或诊断的因素。本研究将采用质与量的方法来回答研究目的。对于目标1，将与淋病或衣原体检测呈阳性的男性的伴侣进行深入访谈。对于目标2和3，将在居住在马里兰州巴尔的摩市的青少年代表性样本中进行基于家庭的纵向调查。更好地了解这些过程将有助于方案规划者制定更有效的预防和控制服务。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Delay in seeking screening and obtaining treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) presents a significant public health problem. Individuals who delay medical care are more likely to transmit the infection to others, are at increased risk for HIV and a have a greater probability of adverse sequelae. One of a few studies that examined adolescents' STD-related care seeking behavior revealed that symptomatic females delayed seeking STD-related care significantly longer than both asymptomatic females and symptomatic males. The objective of this study is to examine the individual, relational and environmental factors associated with STD-related care seeking behavior among young women ages 15-24 in Baltimore, Maryland. The specific aims are to: 1) explore the factors associated with young women's ability to detect symptoms and the terms they employ to describe these symptoms; 2) determine the types of actions young women typically take to address STD symptoms and the factors that influence young women's STD-related care seeking behavior; and 3) determine the factors that influence young women's decision to discuss STD symptoms and/or diagnoses with their sexual partners. Both qualitative and quantitative methods will be used to answer the study aims. For Aim 1, in-depth interviews will be held with female adolescents who are the partners of males who have tested positive for gonorrhea or chlamydia. For Aims 2 and 3, a longitudinal household based survey among a representative sample of adolescents residing in Baltimore city, Maryland will be conducted. A greater understanding of these processes will assist program planners in the development of more effective prevention and control services.