title: Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Among Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States.
abstract: Persons aged 15-25 years have high sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates and suboptimal screening. There has been limited research analyzing barriers to STI testing at a national level. We examined STI testing among 15-25 year olds and reasons for not testing.
  
  
  
  We used data from a national survey of youth. Bivariate and multivariable analyses examined differences in testing behaviors by demographics, separately by sex. Among sexually experienced respondents who reported never being tested, health system-related reasons for not testing were examined in bivariate and multivariable analyses.
  
  
  
  Females (16.6%) were more likely to have ever been tested compared with males (6.1%, p < .01) in the last 12 months. Among sexually experienced respondents who were never tested, 41.8% did not seek testing because they felt they were not at risk for STIs. Males (60.1%) had significantly higher reports of foregoing testing for confidentiality reasons compared with females (39.9%, p < .01). Non-Hispanic whites (44.9%) the highest reports of this compared with other ethnic/racial groups (p < .01).
  
  
  
  This national-level study found that most of the 15-25 year olds never received an STI test. In addition, confidentiality concerns may deter youth from seeking STI testing. Appropriate strategies to minimize these concerns may be useful. Potential strategies to ameliorate these issues may include engaging clinicians who frequently serve adolescents and young adults to address confidentiality issues with youth patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia. Electronic address: kcuffe@cdc.gov.
authors.forename: Kendra M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Cuffe
authors.affiliation: Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Newton-Levinson
authors.affiliation: Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Gift
authors.affiliation: Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McFarlane
authors.affiliation: Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Jami S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Leichliter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018907:Privacy / Q000523:psychology; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescent; Barriers to care; Confidentiality; Health insurance; Patient–doctor interaction; STIs; Testing behaviors