title: Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in at-risk adolescent females at a comprehensive, stand-alone adolescent health center in New York City.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common among adolescents, and multiple STIs over one's lifetime can increase health risks. Few studies have assessed lifetime STI prevalence. This study evaluates minority, underserved adolescents' self-reported lifetime STI history and objective STI rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lifetime STI rates of female patients at an urban adolescent health center were obtained from self-administered questionnaires. Additionally, STI test results were retrieved from electronic medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients reported a high lifetime prevalence of STIs. By comparing self-report and objective data, underreporting was identified for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  STI rates in at-risk adolescent females are higher than in the general population and remain elevated over time. Lifetime STI reports could expand our understanding of sexual health and should be further studied. Underreporting, which may increase health risks and hinder health care delivery, requires further investigation. Improvements in STI screening and prevention targeting at-risk populations are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Risa L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Yavorsky
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hollman
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steever
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Soghomonian
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Strickler
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schlecht
authors.affiliation: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Burk
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA christopher.ochner@mountsinai.org.
authors.forename: Christopher N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Ochner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City; D057566:Self Report; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: EMR; HPV vaccine; electronic medical records; self-report; sexual health; underreporting