BRFSS: STD-related Behavioral Surveillance in New York State

Background:
CDC asks state STD programs to conduct behavioral surveillance. New York is one of the few states to include state-added sexual behavior questions on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), an annual statewide telephone survey.

Objective:
To share results and use findings to plan and inform STD program activities.

Method:
The 2006 sexual behavior module was analyzed for those aged 18-34, using SAS 9.1. Along with assessing risk behaviors, the module asked: 1) ”How many people…your age do you think have had an STD?”; 2) “When you go to a doctor's office or clinic for a regular check-up… how often does the doctor take a sexual history?”; and knowledge questions, e.g.: 3) Having another STD increases your chances of being infected with HIV. Analyses by subgroup were conducted and compared to 2004-2005 trends.

Result:
Half (53%) of young adults 18-34 responded ‘Hardly Any/A Few ‘in estimating the number of people their age that have had an STD. Differences are seen by gender (Males-65%, Females-42%) and race/ethnicity (Whites 60%, African-Americans-28%, Hispanics-54%). An additional 19% responded ‘Don't Know'. For sexual history, 48% were ‘Rarely' or ‘Never' asked (Males-59%, Females-36%; Whites-55%, African-Americans-28%, Hispanics-45%). Sixty percent knew STD increases the chance of getting HIV. Risk behaviors (e.g., condom use with main/non-main partners) are consistent with national studies.

Conclusion:
Many young adults underestimated (or were unaware of) the likely level of STDs in their age group (50% of sexually active young adults acquire an STD by the age of 25). A large number also report their providers do not take a sexual history during routine check-ups.

Implications:
State level data are useful in targeting/creating messages for needed community and provider education. A “data brief” that will share key results with stakeholders is in development.