Adolescents' Anticipated Experience of Screening for Genital Herpes
Authors: Ramos, Stephanie; Cohen, Sheila; Caskey, John; Rosenthal, Susan L.
Source: Herpes, Volume 13, Number 2, 2006 , pp. 49-52(4)
Publisher: Cambridge Medical Publications
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Abstract:
Screening asymptomatic adolescents for genital herpes will require sensitivity to the adolescents' developmental needs. Twenty-four adolescents (age range 16-19) were interviewed to explore their perceptions of screening. In general, adolescents thought screening for genital herpes would be viewed as 'taking care of themselves', although there were concerns that their peers might view getting screened as implying that the adolescent was infected or sexually promiscuous. Most adolescents expected their parents to respond positively, but typically thought that younger adolescents should obtain parental consent for screening, and that adolescents should inform their parents of positive test results. Adolescents wanted to be screened in settings which provided confidentiality and by non-judgemental care providers, but they differed on the setting which they believed would accomplish this. Some recommended mass screening (for example, screening all of those in a certain year at school), presumably as a way to reduce embarrassment and/or stigma. Screening programmes which are adolescent-friendly and accessible, and address adolescents' specific concerns regarding managing the information, can be created.Keywords: GENITAL HERPES; HERPES SEROLOGICAL SCREENING; ADOLESCENTS
Document Type: Research article
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