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Physicians' STD diagnosis and screening practices in the
South.
Southern Medical Journal 2004;97(7):624-630.
Wimberly YH,
Hogben M.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain at high levels in the
South compared with the rest of the nation. Physician diagnosis levels and
screening behaviors fall among the elements about which more knowledge is
needed to address these high levels. This article assesses Southern physicians'
STD diagnosis histories and screening behaviors, focusing on curable STDs.
METHODS: The sample included 1,306 physicians practicing in 13 Southern states
and in the District of Columbia. These physicians formed part of a larger
survey (n = 4,233) and answered questions concerning STD diagnosis history
and screening behaviors. Analyses focus on chlamydial infection and gonorrhea
individually, as well as composite statistics for gonorrhea, chlamydial infection,
syphilis, pelvic inflammatory disease, trichomoniasis, and nongonococcal
urethritis. RESULTS: Approximately 80% of physicians had diagnosed a curable
STD, and 56% screened for any STD. The most common diagnosis techniques were
culture and DNA probe. Several variables were individually associated with
screening and diagnostic methods. Being female, African-American, or an obstetrician/gynecologist
were associated with increased likelihood to screen for STDs in multivariate
analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Southern physicians were less likely to screen for
STDs than their counterparts in other areas of the United States, although
they were more likely to have diagnosed STDs. Results suggest that some targeted
and evaluated screening practices may be useful in this area of the country.