Young Women's Beliefs About the Terms Sexually Transmitted Disease and Sexually Transmitted Infection

A majority of the young women do differentiate between the terms sexually transmitted disease and sexually transmitted infection; however, the rationale for doing so is not consistent with the rationale used by health care providers. Professionals should clarify their use of the terms sexually transmitted disease and sexually transmitted infection when talking with patients as a means to improve health communication and subsequently improve sexually transmitted disease health care.