Risk assessment practices of Texas private practitioners for sexually transmitted diseases.

This study describes the sexually transmitted disease (STD) risk assessment practices of a sample of private primary care practitioners in Texas. Elicitation of sexual history was not universal when these clinicians took the health history of their patients. Only 40% of the practices reported conducting a risk assessment for STD with all of their patients. In general, practices in obstetrics and gynecology, physicians providing care for persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus, and female physicians were more likely to indicate that they assess all of their patients for risks of STD. More than 90% of the practitioners conduct risk assessment for STD with all of those patients perceived to be at risk, but the criteria used for determining those patients vary greatly among practitioners. Private physicians in Texas provide care for a large proportion of individuals afflicted with STDs; our findings raise concerns about the lack of uniformity in the process of identifying patients at risk for STD.

Prenatal HIV testing in private OB-Gyn practices in Texas.

This study evaluates the prenatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing behaviors of private obstetrics and gynecology practitioners in Texas. A statewide telephone survey of 614 providers of prenatal care determined the level of HIV testing, how testing is offered, and patient acceptance of the test. Ninety-nine percent of the practices offered HIV testing to all their pregnant patients, and 96% of the practices included HIV testing in the routine panel of tests for pregnant patients. More than 95% of the practices reported that 10% or less of the women refused the test when offered it; 73% of the practices reported no refusals. Less than half of the practices, however, discussed HIV prevention topics, and only 29% of the practices referred high-risk pregnant patients for prevention counseling. Although private practices of obstetrics and gynecology report testing almost all their prenatal patients, survey results suggest that providers could improve their prevention and patient education practices.