Knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases in women among primary care physicians.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about sexually transmitted disease (STD) knowledge of primary care providers. The objectives of this study were to determine the knowledge about the management of STDs among primary care physicians and to identify physician characteristics associated with possession of STD knowledge.


METHODS
A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 1600 obstetrician/gynecologists, pediatricians, family physicians, and internists practicing in Pennsylvania. Information on physician and patient demographics was gathered, and we assessed knowledge and practice patterns concerning the management of STDs in young women.


RESULTS
Physician knowledge regarding the evaluation and management of women with or at risk for STDs was associated with female gender (odds ratio [OR]: 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-3.2), age < or =40 (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.4-3.6), and metropolitan practice location (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1-2.6). Familiarity with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) STD treatment guidelines was independently associated with STD knowledge (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.3). Physicians with good STD knowledge were more likely to report routinely screening at-risk women for Chlamydia trachomatis (OR: 3.9; 95% CI: 2.3-6.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Inadequacies in physician knowledge may serve as a barrier to the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of STDs. Interventions to improve STD management practices should include continuing medical education and distribution of CDC's STD treatment guidelines to primary care providers.
Wiesenfeld
Harold C
HC
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. hwiesenfeld@mail.magee.edu
Dennard-Hall
Keisha
K
Cook
Robert L
RL
Ashton
Michael
M
Zamborsky
Tracy
T
Krohn
Marijane A
MA
D000328:Adult; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States