Sexually Transmitted Infections: Perceived Knowledge Versus Actual Knowledge

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be a serious problem, with potentially severe consequences. Past research has found that people may not seek out treatment for STIs because they do not know what symptoms to look for (Greenberg et al., 2002). The present study investigated many aspects of STI knowledge, including perceived knowledge and actually knowledge. Moreover, this study added a novel and applied aspect to the assessment of STI knowledge: visual knowledge. Overall, participants performed poorly on the actual STI knowledge, however, those who rated their knowledge as high performed significantly better than those who rated their knowledge as low. The data revealed two significant predictors of actual STI knowledge, level of STI education and number of previously contracted STIs. In addition, it was found that participants performed better on the written portion of the test than the visual portion of the test. The authors content that increased education may assist in reducing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. jGPHA (2006), Volume 1, Number 1 Corresponding Author: Dr. Richard Topolski, Department of Psychology, Augusta State University, Augusta, GA 30909, email:rtopolsk@aug.edu Original Research: SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association (2006), Volume 1, 5 Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Perceived Versus Actual Knowledge Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are an importunate problem within the United States, with approximately 19 million people infected annually (CDC, 2004). Within the industrialized world, the United States has the highest prevalence of STIs with rates rising since 1981 (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2001; Forste & Morgan, 1998; National Institutes of Health, 1999). Furthermore, incident rates tend to be higher in Georgia and other southeastern states than other regions of the country. The costs associated with STIs have been estimated in excess of 15.5 billion annually for the United States alone (CDC, 2004). Given the economic as well as the health costs associated with STIs, the United States government and other public interest agencies have taken actions designed to reduce the incidence of STIs. Governmental initiatives, identified in Healthy People 2000, are intended to focus on the reduction and eventual elimination of STIs (CDC, 2001). Although initiatives to decrease the incidence of STIs (bacterial and viral) have been in place since the 1990’s (such as Healthy People 2000), rates still remain high. Young people are at exceptionally high risk for contracting almost all STIs (DiClemente et al., 2002). Young people between 15-29 years of age account for about 75% of reported gonorrheal infections in the United States (CDC, 2001). The CDC reported that, in 1999, people between the ages of 20-39 accounted for most of the reported cases of syphilis infections (CDC, 2001). Miller, Ruiz, and Graves (2003) reported that adolescents and young adults account for most primary infections of herpes. Because young people are at high risk for contracting (and spreading) STIs, it is imperative that they become educated about STIs. Overall, females are at a higher risk for contracting a STI than males. This higher risk for females may translate into greater awareness and knowledge. DiClemente et al. (2002) reported that young women who had previously contracted a sexually transmitted disease had more general knowledge about STIs. Synovitz, Hebert, Kelley, and Carlson (2002) found significant differences in sexuality knowledge between males and females, with females scoring higher. Identifying symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases is an important factor in deciding to seek treatment for such diseases. Greenberg et al. (2002) found that almost half of the participants in their study delayed visiting a sexually transmitted disease clinic because of lack of knowledge. Participants noticed symptoms, but were unsure which disease would cause the symptoms they were experiencing. Greenberg, et al. also found that of people who had previously contracted an STI, the individuals who scored higher on tests for STI knowledge rated their experience as less negative than individuals with lower levels of STI knowledge. In the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey, the CDC reported that 87.9% of adolescents stated they had been taught about HIV and AIDS in school (CDC, 2004). However, Synovitz, Hebert, Kelley, and Carlson (2002) found that college students generally scored low (55% correct) on a test assessing their sexual knowledge. Participants with college education in human sexuality scored significantly higher on a test assessing sexuality knowledge when compared to college students with only elementary or high school sexuality education. Taken together, these studies imply that while most students had access to sex education, their knowledge remains low; however, increased exposure to sexual education produces increases in