Correlates of STI testing among vocational school students in the Netherlands

Abstract

BackgroundAdolescents are at risk for acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, test rates among adolescents in the Netherlands are low and effective interventions that encourage STI testing are scarce. Adolescents who attend vocational schools are particularly at risk for STI. The purpose of this study is to inform the development of motivational health promotion messages by identifying the psychosocial correlates of STI testing intention among adolescents with sexual experience attending vocational schools.MethodsThis study was conducted among 501 students attending vocational schools aged 16 to 25 years (mean 18.3 years ± 2.1). Data were collected via a web-based survey exploring relationships, sexual behavior and STI testing behavior. Items measuring the psychosocial correlates of testing were derived from Fishbein's Integrative Model. Data were subjected to multiple regression analyses.ResultsStudents reported substantial sexual risk behavior and low intention to participate in STI testing. The model explained 39% of intention to engage in STI testing. The most important predictor was attitude. Perceived norms, perceived susceptibility and test site characteristics were also significant predictors.ConclusionsThe present study provides important and relevant empirical input for the development of health promotion interventions aimed at motivating adolescents at vocational schools in the Netherlands to participate in STI testing. Health promotion interventions developed for this group should aim to change attitudes, address social norms and increase personal risk perception for STI while also promoting the accessibility of testing facilities.

Ethnicizing sexuality: an analysis of research practices in the Netherlands

“…In the research of Kuyper et al (2009) regression analyses showed, for example, that out of ten analyses, only once was ethnicity significant. At the same time, however, this method asks for binary variables, resulting in binary pairs such as man/woman, high educated/low educated and Western/non-Western (De Looze 2010; Kuyper et al 2009Kuyper et al , 2011Sandfort et al 2010;Wolfers et al 2010). This also happens when researchers use other techniques.…”

“…This also happens when researchers use other techniques. Binary pairs that are created are allochthon/autochthon (Cense and van Dijk 2010;De Looze 2010;Hemmes and Ulichki 2010;Vanwesenbeeck et al 2003), Dutch/nonDutch (Von Bergh and Sandfort 2000;Wolfers et al 2010), Turkish/Moroccan and Dutch/Western (Schouten et al 2007) or Western/non-Western (De Looze 2010). The consequence of this method is that one of the groups becomes the reference group, the norm.…”

Sexually transmitted infection testing among heterosexual Maritime Canadian university students engaging in different levels of sexual risk taking

“…Survey items associated with STI testing, [14][15][16][17] HIV testing 8,10,12 or university students' use of health services 18,19 were included as covariates in all multiple variable regression models and were defined as follows:…”

“…13 The other, which involved Dutch vocational college students, adjusted for potential confounders but examined psychosocial and not behavioural correlates of intention to be tested for STI, not actual testing. 14 Factors generally associated with STI testing or testing intention include age, [14][15][16] biological sex, 14,16 ethnicity, 14 perceived peer norms toward sexual health, 14,15 perceived STI risk, 14,16 community of residence 15,17 and religiosity. 14 A Canadian qualitative study indicated that attitude toward testing was most affected by peer norms and knowledge of testing procedures.…”

“…17 STI testing is also correlated with HIV testing 9 and other previous health services use. 14,16 Variables generally correlated with HIV testing are year of university study, 12 having experienced nonconsensual sex 8 and living arrangement. 10 Factors generally associated with lack of health services use include depression risk 18 and attitudinal barriers to help-seeking.…”