title: Sexually transmitted disease testing misconceptions threaten the validity of self-reported testing history.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing is fundamental to STD prevention and control. We sought to comprehensively examine young women's beliefs about the STD testing process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive, cross-sectional, survey investigation. Women aged 18-24 (n = 302) drawn from four women's health clinics and one university classroom.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed the RoTEST, which measures five domains of women's STD testing beliefs and a demographic survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many women believed they would be screened for all STDs when they receive STD testing (40%) and that visual inspection by a provider was a valid method of STD screening for gonorrhea (35%), chlamydia (32%) and HSV (77%). More than a quarter believed that a Pap test screens for gonorrhea (23%) and chlamydia (26%). Twenty-one percent reported that discussing STD testing with a provider is difficult and most reported feeling more comfortable seeking STD testing from an STD specialist rather than a family doctor (79%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young women have numerous misconceptions about the STD testing process that may interfere with the validity of their self-reported STD testing history and subsequently undermine public health efforts to improve STD prevention and control. Innovative approaches to educating women about the testing process are needed.
authors: College of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. hrroyer@uwm.edu
authors: Heather R
authors: HR
authors: Royer
authors: Elizabeth C
authors: EC
authors: Falk
authors: Susan M
authors: SM
authors: Heidrich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D010465:Perception; D010808:Physical Examination; D010821:Physicians, Family; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057566:Self Report / Q000592:standards*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult