Private MD News

Survey finds misconceptions about STD testing

Category: Chlamydia

Many women have misconceptions about STD testing and are consequently apprehensive about being screened for infection, according to a recent survey from University of Wisconsin School of Nursing.

The results of the survey indicate that 60 percent of women are anxious about testing and that nearly one third are worried that the results of an STD test would show up on their permanent medical records, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal.

"Women can't sit back and say, 'Well, I hope that they're testing me,' or 'I think that they're testing me,' because many times, their interpretation of what's actually occurring is not correct," Heather Royer, who conducted the survey, told the news source. "This was a very well-educated sample, and yet a number of women had misconceptions about the process for being tested for STDs."

She added that improved education efforts from public health organizations and in public schools may encourage more women to seek testing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have said that STD testing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infections.