School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK.
J Public Health (Oxf). 2013 Jun;35(2):213-22. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fds082. Epub 2012 Oct 5.
This study uses the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as a framework to investigate salient beliefs about chlamydia testing, amongst young people living in relatively deprived areas. These beliefs may form targets for intervention to increase testing in this high-risk population.
Participants recruited from colleges in deprived areas of a UK city, completed open-ended questions designed to elicit salient beliefs. Responses were content analysed and categorized as describing behavioural, normative or control beliefs.
Beliefs were elicited from 128 respondents (51% male; median age = 17). The commonest behavioural belief, which could have a positive or negative impact on screening intentions, was that testing provides information about health status. Partners were referred to most commonly amongst the normative beliefs. Practical aspects and concerns about social implications of testing were common control beliefs. References to several negative emotions emerged throughout.
This study indicates that raising awareness of chlamydia as a serious sexual health problem may not be the best way to increase the uptake of testing in a high-risk population. Promoting chlamydia testing as potentially providing reassurance may be an alternative. It may also be important to reduce perceptions of social disapproval as well as negative emotion regarding chlamydia testing.
本研究以计划行为理论（TPB）为框架，调查了居住在相对贫困地区的年轻人对衣原体检测的重要信念。这些信念可能成为干预措施的目标，以增加高危人群的检测。
从英国城市贫困地区的大学招募参与者，完成旨在引出重要信念的开放式问题。对回答进行内容分析，并归类为描述行为、规范或控制信念。
从 128 名受访者（51%为男性；中位数年龄=17 岁）中引出了信念。最常见的行为信念，可能对筛查意图产生积极或消极影响，是检测提供有关健康状况的信息。伴侣是最常提到的规范信念。检测的实际方面和对社会影响的担忧是常见的控制信念。整个过程中都提到了几种负面情绪。
本研究表明，提高对衣原体作为严重性健康问题的认识可能不是增加高危人群检测率的最佳方法。推广衣原体检测可能提供保证可能是一种替代方法。减少对社会不赞成的看法以及对衣原体检测的负面情绪也可能很重要。
