Understanding the role of perceived severity in STD-related care-seeking delays.
OBJECTIVE
To gain a more in-depth understanding of the relationship between perceived severity of symptoms and STD-related care-seeking behavior among adolescent African-American females in Baltimore City.


METHODS
Twenty-one female adolescents were interviewed in depth to elicit their experiences with an STD in the previous 3 months. Comparisons were made between those who sought care on account of their symptoms and those who did not.


RESULTS
High perceived seriousness about symptoms has both cognitive and emotional components that may function independently to either promote or delay STD-related care seeking.


CONCLUSIONS
Both cognitive and emotional responses to STD symptoms must be considered when examining the effect of perceived severity on adolescents' STD-related care-seeking behaviors.
Cunningham
Shayna D
SD
Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
Kerrigan
Deanna
D
Pillay
Kavita B
KB
Ellen
Jonathan M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015142:Baltimore; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors