Portrayal of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Popular Films

Stigmatization of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) threatens provider-patient relationships and contributes to the underutilization of STI services. Media can shape public attitudes toward health care topics by perpetuating or reducing stigma. Given the high prevalence of STIs and the widespread consumption of media, it is essential for health care providers to be cognizant of factors influencing societal perceptions of STI symptoms, transmission, diagnosis, and treatment.

This study is a scoping review of popular films depicting STIs. Full-length English-language narrative films featuring characters with confirmed or suspected STIs were included. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the proportion of characters accurately portrayed with STI symptoms, transmission, diagnosis, and treatment.

The final analysis comprised 128 characters from 77 films, with human immunodeficiency virusbeing the most frequently featured STI (42 films, 54.5%). The overall accuracy across all 4 clinical variables of symptoms, transmission, diagnosis, and treatment was 87.4%. Transmission was the most depicted clinical variable, represented in 74 characters (57.8%). All 4 clinical variables were simultaneously depicted in only 4 (3.1%) characters, with 2 characters portraying all 4 clinical variables accurately. Death occurred in 39 characters (30.5%), with human immunodeficiency virus accounting for the majority (82.1%).

Most films accurately portrayed STI clinical variables, including symptoms, transmission, diagnosis, and treatment. Rates of individual variable depiction were inconsistent, whereas death secondary to STIs was common. Understanding the portrayal of STIs in popular films can provide valuable insights for clinicians, enabling them to effectively address patient misconceptions and knowledge gaps.