STD Testing Questionnaire

Sexual testing questionnaire

This STD test focuses on most common behavioural risks and signs of infection to establish whether the subject should undergo formal testing or not.

There are 10 items in the questionnaire and this is what they focus on:

■ Unprotected sexual acts in the previous 6 months or in between being tested;

■ STD testing behaviour;

■ Perception over STI symptoms;

■ Knowledge of STD transmission means;

■ Experience of unusual itching or swallowing of the genital area;

■ Experience of soreness or discharge from genital organs;

■ Experience of a burning or itching sensation while urinating;

■ Experience of ulcers that ooze or bleed and any soaring;

■ Strong genital odour;

■ Experience of enlarged lymph nodes;

Depending on the amount and gravity of the symptoms the user experiences, the result will recommend or not further medical testing.

Sexually transmitted infections risk

It is important that sexually active people get tested at regular periods, especially if they practice unprotected intercourse. Common risk factors include:

■ Unprotected sexual intercourse;

■ Contact with multiple partners;

■ Alcohol or drug abuse;

■ History of STDs.

Sexual testing is both a prevention method and a quick mean to get treatment in time and reduce risk of complications in case a sexual disease is contracted.

The most common symptoms of an infection of this kind include:

■ Sores on the genital area;

■ Different discharges;

■ Itching;

■ Burning sensation during urination.

Please note that in some cases, STDs don’t exhibit any symptoms and may be hard to detect, especially in the initial phases, this contributing to a larger rate of spreading because of people not being aware that they have contracted the disease.

Most of the STI diagnosis tests are non invasive, therefore don’t produce any discomfort, they are often specific to certain disease, thus multiple tests may be applied.

When going in for a STD test, the consultation begins with a discussion with the medical professional about past and current sexual practices and an evaluation of the perception of certain symptoms.

When the infection is in an advanced, symptom displaying stage, diagnosis may be put straight away, based on symptomatology. Some tests results are more rapid, while others require days or even weeks to be processed.

Most frequently encountered STDs

References

1. Gross G, Tyring SK. Sexually transmitted infections and sexually transmitted diseases. 2011; Heidelbergh: Springer Verlag.

2. Cunningham, S. D. et al. Relationships Between Perceived STD-Related Stigma, STD-Related Shame and STD Screening Among a Household Sample of Adolescents. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2009; 41(4): 225–230.

3. St. Lawrence, J. S. et al. STD Screening, Testing, Case Reporting, and Clinical and Partner Notification Practices: A National Survey of US Physicians. Am J Public Health. 2002; 92(11): 1784–1788.