Patients Attending STD Clinics in an Evolving Health Care Environment

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Abstract
Objectives: To characterize client demographics, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) morbidity, insurance status, reasons for attending public STD clinics, and future preferences for source of STD services. Design: Cross-sectional study of 2,490 clients attending five urban STD clinics for new problems with interviewer-administered 23-item questionnaire and chart review to obtain clinical and laboratory STD diagnoses. Results: Participants were young (51% Conclusions: STD clinics see young, minority, poor, and uninsured clients with high STD rates. Even with unlimited future choice, two thirds of the clients surveyed would still prefer to be treated at STD clinics. This study indicates the continuing need for publicly funded, categorical STD clinics in urban areas with high STD morbidity and the importance of easily accessible, confidential, expert STD services from the private sector and managed care organizations.

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