Reproductive health practices in women attending an inner-city STD clinic

Inner-city sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics may provide an important access point to educate patients at high risk for reproductive health problems and their peers in order to effect behavior change. In a pilot study to evaluate the knowledge, health practices, and behavior of patients attending an inner-city STD clinic, 116 women were surveyed concerning their reproductive and general health practices, their knowledge of both, and screened for STDs. The women who had a history of first intercourse before age 18 years had a statistically significant higher rate of infection. Thirty-three percent of the patients did not know the purpose of a Pap smear; of the 67% who stated that they did know, only 30% actually stated that a Pap smear is used to detect cancer. STD clinics offer a unique opportunity for the integration of health care services and education to a group of high-risk patients.