A Pilot Study Describing Knowledge and Practices in the Health Care of Men Who Have Sex With Men by U.S. Air Force Primary Care Providers

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening in men who have sex with men (MSM) that is unique to this patient population. The goal of this study is to establish whether U.S. Air Force (USAF) providers are familiar with these guidelines and determine if USAF providers offer these tests appropriately. METHODS: A survey designed to determine primary care provider knowledge and practices in MSM health care was disseminated via e-mail to 124 primary care providers at 3 separate USAF medical facilities in Northern California from September 15 to 30, 2011. FINDINGS: There was a 46% response rate. 15% of respondents correctly identified all CDC-recommended STI screens. 42% stated that they did not know the CDC screening guidelines. 51% did not screen male patients for MSM activity in the past year. 81% of respondents had not offered the full complement of MSM STI screening in the past year. CONCLUSION: The majority of USAF primary care providers surveyed were not familiar with CDC-recommended annual screening tests for STIs in MSM, and they did not screen for MSM activity or offer MSM STI screening tests regularly. Further studies across the Department of Defense are needed to corroborate the findings of this study.