Correlates of readiness to receive Chlamydia screening among 2 populations of youths.
OBJECTIVE
To assess young people's preferences for Chlamydia testing venues and methods, attitudes about testing, sex differences among these variables, and their predictive associations with young people's readiness for screening.


METHODS
Survey.


METHODS
National Job Training site and Department of Youth Services site.


METHODS
One hundred fifty male and 150 female youths from the National Job Training site and 150 male youths from the Department of Youth Services site.


METHODS
Modifiable predictors of stage of readiness for Chlamydia screening.


RESULTS
Modifiable variables associated with increasing readiness for Chlamydia screening included the following: (1) among males in the Department of Youth Services group, perceived likelihood of ever having a Chlamydia infection; (2) among males from the National Job Training site, lack of condom use as a risk factor for Chlamydia infection and perception of untreated Chlamydia infection as dangerous; and (3) among females from the National Job Training site, belief that a partner could have a Chlamydia infection and fewer perceived social consequences of Chlamydia testing.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions targeted at sex-specific modifiable variables may help reduce undiagnosed Chlamydia infection among sexually active youth.
Blake
Diane R
DR
Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA. Diane.Blake@umassmed.edu
Lemay
Celeste A
CA
Indurkhya
Alka
A
D000293:Adolescent; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology; D016017:Odds Ratio