Objective
The purpose of this study was to determine predictors of the completion of free annual
sexually transmitted infection screening among sexually active young women of ≤25
years old.
Study Design
We analyzed survey data from 2607 sexually active women who were enrolled in the Contraceptive
CHOICE Project, a prospective cohort study. We evaluated demographic characteristics,
sexual risk behaviors, relationship characteristics, and contraceptive methods. Receipt
of a home- or clinic-based test kit within 56 days of the 12-month survey constituted
a completed screen. A multivariable model to predict screening completion was created
with the use of Poisson regression with robust error variance.
Results
Fifty-seven percent of the women completed the screening. Screening completion was
associated most strongly with a college education or higher (adjusted relative risk,
1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–1.3) and home-based testing (adjusted relative risk,
1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–1.5).
Conclusion
Free and home-based testing increased screening rates among young women. To meet annual
testing guidelines, the availability and use of home-based testing kits should increase.
Key words
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: February 29, 2012
Accepted:
February 21,
2012
Received in revised form:
December 19,
2011
Received:
October 19,
2011
Footnotes
Supported by an anonymous foundation and grant number 5 T35 HL007815-16 from the National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH/NHLBI). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of NHLBI or NIH.
The authors report no conflict of interest.
Reprints not available from the authors
Cite this article as: Skala SL, Secura GM, Peipert JF. Factors associated with screening for sexually transmitted infections. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2012;206:324.e1-6.
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
