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Family Practice Vol. 20, No. 4, 494
© Oxford University Press 2003

Correspondence

Patient’s understanding of risk

Edward Sellon and Pippa Oakeshott

St George’s Hospital Medical School, London SW176 0RE, UK.

Correspondence to Edward Sellon, 98a Balham Park Rd, London SW12 8EA, UK; E-mail: MS015558{at}sghms.ac.uk

Walter and Britten’s qualitative study1 found that women’s understanding of the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involved a complex interplay between knowledge and core beliefs. We used quantitative methods to examine teenagers’ knowledge and understanding of Chlamydia trachomatis infection. In November 2002 a questionnaire was given to 400 students aged between 16 and 20 years (mean age 17 years) attending a Hampshire sixth form college. The response rate was 86% (345/400). Teenage girls were more likely than teenage boys to know that Chlamydia can be caught by unprotected sex [99% (183/185) of girls compared with 79% (127/160) of boys, relative risk (RR) 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–1.4]. They were also more likely to know that it can be treated with antibiotics [41% (76/185) of girls compared with 16% (26/160) of boys RR 2.5, 95% CI = 1.7–3.7] and that if left untreated Chlamydia infection can cause infertility [70% (130/185) of girls compared with 37% (59/160) of boys, RR 1.9, CI = 1.5–2.4]. Fewer than 1% knew that an abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis could be a symptom. Most subjects correctly believed the prevalence of chlamydial infection amongst sexually active teenagers to be between 6 and 10%.

Our results suggest that in this college, teenage men have a poorer knowledge than girls of chlamydia and have little understanding of what it means to be infected. We agree with Walter and Britten that knowledge is necessary for informed and active risk assessment and suggest that chlamydial infection receives greater attention in sexual health education. A fresh approach for young men in particular is needed.

Reference

1 Walter F, Britten N. Patients’ understanding risk: a qualitative study of decision-making about the menopause and hormone replacement therapy in general practice. Fam Pract 2002; 19: 579–586.[Abstract/Free Full Text]


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