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Physicians' STD diagnosis and screening practices in the South.
Yolanda H Wimberly1, Matthew Hogben
1Department of Pediatrics, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310-1495, USA. Yolanda_Wimberly@msm.edu
Southern Medical Journal
|August 11, 2004
Summary
Southern physicians diagnosed more sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) but screened less frequently than other regions. Targeted screening practices may improve STD control in the South.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are prevalent in the Southern United States.
- Physician diagnostic and screening behaviors for STDs require further investigation to address high incidence rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess STD diagnosis histories and screening behaviors among physicians in the Southern US.
- To focus on curable STDs, including chlamydial infection and gonorrhea.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 1,306 physicians in 13 Southern states and the District of Columbia.
- Data collected on STD diagnosis history and screening practices.
- Analysis focused on specific curable STDs and composite statistics.
Main Results:
- 80% of physicians diagnosed a curable STD; 56% screened for any STD.
- Culture and DNA probe were common diagnostic methods.
- Female, African-American physicians, and obstetrician/gynecologists were more likely to screen for STDs.
Conclusions:
- Southern physicians diagnosed STDs more often but screened less than physicians elsewhere in the US.
- Findings suggest a need for targeted and evaluated STD screening strategies in the South.