Advisor(s)
Connie Kohler
Committee Member(s)
Linda Casebeer
Jeroan Allison
Scott Snyder
David Macrina
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
2006
Abstract
Background: Chlamydia prevalence in reproductive-age females is 3-20%. This study aimed to determine if physicians’: • sexual activity prevalence perceptions • Chlamydia prevalence perceptions • Sexual history-taking were associated with mean office screening rates; and if physicians’ perceptions of: • sexual activity • Chlamydia were associated with sexual history-taking. Methods: A national MCO’s physicians participated and were asked about their perceptions of sexual activity and Chlamydia prevalence and their sexual history-taking. Data sources included mean office screening rates, online surveys, and AMA’s masterfile. Results: Only 15% of at-risk females were screened (n = 75). Physicians who estimated lower 18 year-old sexual activity prevalence (≤ 40%) had lower mean office screening rates for 16-25 year-old females at-risk (17%, 11%, p = .07). Post-hoc analyses found iii providers who perceived sexual activity prevalence as low had lower at-risk 16-20 year-old female mean office screening rates (11%, 21%, p = .02) but did not have lower at-risk 21-25 year-old office screening rates (10%, 14%, p = .30). Physicians who perceived low patient Chlamydia prevalence (≤ 2%) had lower at-risk female 16-25 year-old mean screening rates (19%, 12%, p = .00). Post-hoc analyses found providers who perceived low patient Chlamydia prevalence had lower at-risk female 16-20 year-old office screening rates (13%, 24%, p = .02), and had lower at-risk female 21-25 year-old office screening rates (10%, 17%, p = .08). Most physicians (65%) reported regularly taking sexual histories from young patients. Sexual history-taking and office screening rates were not associated. Physicians who perceived lower sexual activity prevalence (≤ 40%) were as likely as those who perceived higher (≥ 41%) prevalence to report regularly taking sexual histories. Physicians who perceived patient Chlamydia prevalence as lower (≤ 2%) were as likely as those who perceived higher (≥ 3%) prevalence to report regularly taking sexual histories. Conclusions: Unrealistic perceptions about patient Chlamydia prevalence persist. This suggests that offices infrequently screening at-risk young females are staffed by physicians who do not perceive 18 year-old females or their patients to be at-risk. Physicians can improve their prevalence perceptions of Chlamydia and sexual activity, sexual history-taking, and Chlamydia screening.
ProQuest Publication Number
ISBN
978-1-109-91945-5
Recommended Citation
Collins, Blanche C., "The Association Between 2002 Office Chlamydia Screening Rates, Physician Perception, And Physician Behavior" (2006). All ETDs from UAB. 3670.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/3670
