title: Urban African American women's explanations of recurrent chlamydia infections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore reasons for the high chlamydia recurrence rate among African American (AA) urban women.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this phenomenological qualitative study, young AA urban women with recurrent chlamydia were interviewed using open-ended questions guided by the conceptual framework of the health belief model (HBM).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was set in three urban health clinics in Michigan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten African American adolescents, age 15 to 19, participated.
  
  
  METHODS
  In face-to-face recorded interviews, participants shared their personal experiences and viewpoints on what led to their recurrent chlamydia infections. The data were transcribed and analyzed through hand coding and NVivo 8 a qualitative software package.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, participants demonstrated significant knowledge deficits about the seriousness of chlamydia compared to other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). After reinfection, their perceived susceptibility changed: condom use was seen as beneficial and perceived barriers to condom use diminished as participants gained a new sense of empowerment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chlamydia infection among African American urban adolescents is nearly 3 times that of the general population. Lack of education is still a barrier to STI prevention. Participants reported a desire to receive counseling and support from the health care staff. A STI care model that includes education, counseling, and regular screening of high-risk adolescents should be considered. Further research, using the HBM or similar theoretical models, are needed to gauge the success of any planned or implemented intervention.
authors.forename: Melva
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Craft-Blacksheare
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Theodore K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006266:Health Education; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: African American urban teens; Chlamydia; Health Belief Model