Routine screening for genital chlamydia trachomatis in adolescent females

Article Abstract:

Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterial infection of the female genital tract. It can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and ectopic pregnancies (pregnancies outside of the uterus). The incidence of chlamydia infections in adolescent girls is consistently high, between 10 and 20 percent. Culture of the vaginal discharge and isolation of the infecting organism is the best method of diagnosis. However, this method is expensive and time consuming. One quick test being used to diagnose chlamydia is the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test. In some areas DFA screening is being performed only on selected patients meeting specific criteria, such as a recent change in sexual partner or a history of cervicitis (inflammation and swelling of the cervix). It is argued that patients not meeting this criteria will be left untreated or patients with a general diagnosis of cervicitis will be overtreated. Presently, there is no evidence supporting a routine chlamydia screening program. Chlamydia tests were performed on 7,879 patients using the DFA screening test to determine the prevalence of chlamydia among female adolescents. During the two year period initial DFA tests showed positive results in 563 women between the ages of 13 and 24. During the first year, 308 of the 3,744 patients screened tested positive. Testing during the second year found 253 of the 4,135 adolescents to be positive for chlamydia. Of the 319 patients who had repeat DFA tests 90 days after their initial diagnosis and treatment, 279 tested negative. A third DFA test, 133 days later, revealed 108 negative tests. It is suggested that female adolescents with positive chlamydia test results have repeat tests for chlamydia twice a year. Routine screening of female adolescents at selected intervals is supported by this research and is recommended over selective screening.

Research, Diagnosis, Medical examination, Teenage girls, Medical screening, Health screening, Chlamydia trachomatis, Fluorescent antibody technique, Adolescent medicine

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Acceptability of genital herpes immunization: the role of health beliefs and health behaviors

Article Abstract:

Public acceptance of a herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) vaccine may be influenced by many health beliefs and behaviors. Participants in a clinical trial on the effectiveness of a HSV-2 vaccine completed 321 questionnaires. These were analyzed to determine the effect of several variables on the acceptance of a hypothetical HSV-2 immunization. Associations between health behaviors and inoculation acceptance were observed. The perceived benefits of the vaccination were seen to strongly influence respondent's reception of the vaccine. Emphasizing the advantages of immunization could enhance public acceptance and increase the effectiveness of vaccination programs.

Public opinion, Health behavior, Health attitudes, Herpesvirus vaccines

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Attitudes about human immunodeficiency virus immunization: the influence of health beliefs and vaccine characteristics

Article Abstract:

A vaccine against HIV, if and when it may be developed, will still face an acceptance problem due to fears and beliefs. In a survey of 222 college students, this resistance was expressed. Some fears concern the vaccine itself, that it may cause AIDS. Other points of reluctance were based on the person doubting his or her own susceptibility and not believing oneself to be a member of any of the traditionally defined groups considered to be at high risk.

Psychological aspects, College students, AIDS vaccines

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