BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) released findings from a survey conducted online by The Harris Poll, reporting that women feel less knowledgeable about testing and treatment options for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) compared to other vaginal diseases and infections.
The survey of more than 1,000 U.S. women over 18 years old, found that while 77% of women say they are knowledgeable about vaginal infections (including yeast infections) in general, only 60% are knowledgeable about treatment options for vaginal infections and STIs. The study also found that among women who have ever seen a healthcare provider for routine gynecological care, most report that their provider could do more to educate them about STIs (82%), treatment options for STIs and vaginal infections (82%), as well testing for STIs and vaginal infections (79%).
The online survey of U.S. women found that nearly half (48%) last saw a healthcare provider for a routine gynecological exam one year ago or more, with only two in five (40%) having done so within the past 12 months. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women be seen by their gynecologist at least once a year.
Almost three in five women who visited a healthcare provider when they had or thought they had a vaginal infection went to an OB-GYN or gynecologist (57%) for a gynecological exam versus 42% going to a primary care doctor. However, younger women (18-34 years old) are more likely than older women (45+ years old) to have visited an urgent care facility (26% vs. 5%).
According to the study, about seven in 10 women have ever had or thought they had a vaginal infection (71%), and of those women, only 37% said their healthcare provider was able to diagnose their symptoms and prescribe the appropriate treatment after one visit. In addition, only 19% said their healthcare provider explained what tests they were doing for diagnosis.
Among women who have ever had or thought they had a vaginal infection, the results indicate that less than a third of Black women (29%) say their healthcare provider was able to diagnose their symptoms and prescribe appropriate treatment after one visit. The figure drops even lower (23%) among Hispanic women. By contrast, 42% of white women say their healthcare provider was able to diagnose their symptoms and prescribe appropriate treatment after one visit.
The poll also showed disparities in receiving a routine gynecological exam, with around one in 10 Asian women (12%) having never had a gynecological exam, similar to Black (10%) and Hispanic (11%) women —almost three times less than white women (4%).
Among women who have ever had or thought they had a vaginal infection, Hispanic women are more likely than white women to say it took a long time to get an appointment with their healthcare provider (15% vs. 5%) and that it took several visits to their healthcare provider to find an appropriate treatment (16% vs. 4%).
