STI testing information available to teens on the internet: what's missing?
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this descriptive study is to provide baseline knowledge of the current internet content on STI testing available to adolescents on STI informational websites and to determine if barriers to STI testing are being addressed.


METHODS
A content analysis of eighteen structured STI informational websites was conducted.


METHODS
The World Wide Web.


METHODS
STI informational websites.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
Findings suggest STI websites lack specific testing information for males. Few sites addressed consent and confidentiality or need for partner testing. Multiple statements portrayed pediatricians as poor communicators or unaware of adolescent healthcare needs. In contrast, only one statement portrayed pediatricians as a resource for teens.


CONCLUSIONS
The internet has the potential to be an excellent resource for teens seeking information about STI testing. In our analysis, no single site stood out as accurate and comprehensive in addressing adolescent barriers to STI testing.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Kansas, USA. kerrilmeyer@gmail.com
Kerri L
KL
Meyer
Carolyn R
CR
Ahlers-Schmidt
Kari R
KR
Harris
Stephanie M
SM
Seiler
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control