Background:
Every year more than 18 million Americans are infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) making the United States number one in industrialized nations in respect to the most cases of STDs. It is important for physicians to be trained in STD management to help decrease this epidemic.



Objective:
To determine the effect of a STD curriculum and clinical experience at an STD clinic on the knowledge of STD diagnosis and management in medical students.


Method:
Medical students during their third year clerkship rotations received lectures on STDs and attended at least one half day at the STD clinic at the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness. Two classes of third year medical students from Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA (Classes of 2005 and 2006) completed a 30 question test prior to the beginning of their clinical rotations and presentations and at the end. Tests consisted of multiple-choice questions about the screening, diagnosis, epidemiology, and treatment of STDs.


Result:
84 students completed pre-tests and 80 completed post-tests. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software. Pretest mean for students was 23.48 out of 30. The post-test mean was 26.55, 3.07 points higher than the pretest, t(79)=9.18, p<0.001. The class of 2005 (n=42) had statistically higher pretest scores than the class of 2006 (n=42) 24.38 vs. 22.52, t(82)=3.00, p<0.01. Post-test scores by class (26.70 vs. 26.29), however, were not statistically significantly different, t(78)=1.25, p=0.22. Pre and post-tests were weakly correlated, r=0.27, p<0.5.


Conclusion:
The STD curriculum is effective in improving knowledge base of STDs among medical students.


Implications:
A structured STD curriculum inclusive of both didactic and clinical exposure will increase the knowledge base of STDs among medical students.