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Taking the Public’s Pulse on Youth and STDs

Joan R. Cates, MPH American Public Health Association November 17, 2003. Taking the Public’s Pulse on Youth and STDs. Our Voices, Our Lives, Our Futures: Youth and STDs. William T. Grant Foundation

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Taking the Public’s Pulse on Youth and STDs

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  1. Joan R. Cates, MPH American Public Health Association November 17, 2003 Taking the Public’s Pulse on Youth and STDs

  2. Our Voices, Our Lives, Our Futures: Youth and STDs • William T. Grant Foundation • Purpose: Create society that values young people and enables them to reach their full potential • Focus on public’s view of youth • Develop communications to influence adults’ attitudes and behaviors re: youth

  3. Overview • Purpose • Hypothesis • Research questions • Method • Results • Conclusions

  4. Purpose • To assess the American public’s knowledge and attitudes about reducing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases in youth ages 15-24

  5. Hypothesis • Segments of the public vary in their knowledge and attitudes about reducing the risk of STDs in youth

  6. Research Questions Re: Adult Views of Youth and STDs • RQ1: Do demographic factors influence knowledge and attitudes? • RQ2: Do lifestyle factors influence knowledge and attitudes?

  7. Research Method • Public opinion polls in sample of states • Knowledge re: • STDs in youth • Undetected STDs • Attitudes re: • Condoms prevent STDs • Education about condoms • STD testing in schools

  8. “Piggy-back” Poll • Random digit-dialed telephone survey of likely voters in November 2002 elections • 3 states: • North Carolina (n=625) • Ohio (n=805) • Colorado (n-631) • Mason-Dixon Research Associates • Conducted in September, 2002

  9. Knowledge Questions • What proportion of STDs occur in youth 15-24 each year? • 1/4, 1/2 ,2/3, or ¾ • What proportion of STDs are undetected? • ¼, ½, 2/3, or 3/4

  10. Attitude Questions • Would correct and consistent use of condoms prevent most STDs? • Should youth be taught how to use condoms? • Should testing for STDs be available in schools?

  11. Demographic Age Gender Race Education Lifestyle Party Identification Religion Parent of Minor State Respondent Variables

  12. Results (1) • Proportion of STDs – 2/3 said 50% or less • Undiagnosed STDs – 3/4 said 50% or less • Condoms prevent STDs – 71% yes • Teach condom use – 75% yes • Test for STDs in school – 76% yes

  13. Results (2) • Democrats most likely to support education and testing • Catholics least likely to support condom education • Females more likely to support condom education yet underestimate STDs • No differences by race

  14. Results (3) • 18-34 year olds believed in condoms more than older age groups • 18-34 year olds more likely to support condom education

  15. Conclusions • Respondents • underestimated STDs in youth • believe condoms prevent most STDs • support condom education • support testing for STDs in schools • Some differences by demographic and lifestyle variables

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