{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,22]],"date-time":"2026-06-22T23:46:55Z","timestamp":1782172015067,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":29,"publisher":"CSIRO Publishing","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,1]],"date-time":"2026-06-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1780272000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,17]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Perceptions of chlamydia and gonorrhoea may influence sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and prevention. Understanding these perceptions is essential, as many countries are considering more restrictive chlamydia testing. This study compared perceived susceptibility and severity of chlamydia and gonorrhoea among young heterosexuals in the Netherlands and explored underlying determinants and reasons.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>An online cross-sectional survey (April\u2013June 2024) among young people (16\u201334 year-old)\u00a0was distributed via social media and sexual health clinics. Multivariable logistic regression identified determinants of perceived susceptibility and severity. Thematic analysis explored underlying reasons.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Among participants (n\u00a0=\u00a01605), perceived susceptibility was low for chlamydia (75%) and gonorrhoea (81%), but both were considered severe (chlamydia 76%; gonorrhoea 82%). Determinants of perceived susceptibility differed by partner type. For those with steady partners, low impulsivity was associated with low perceived susceptibility, while multiple partners and low health goals were associated with high susceptibility. Among those with casual partners, multiple partners, no condom use at last sex, and low health goals were associated with high susceptibility. Perceived severity was lower among those with university education, low health goals, and multiple partners. Reasons for susceptibility related to sexual behaviour; severity to relationship concerns and STI aversion.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Most young heterosexuals perceive chlamydia and gonorrhoea as severe, but many underestimate their personal risk, even when engaging in behaviours associated with increased risk of acquiring an STI. Misconceptions and limited awareness contribute to gaps between risk perception and preventive action. Targeted interventions and clear, infection-specific communication are needed as STI testing policies evolve.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1071\/sh25247","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,22]],"date-time":"2026-06-22T22:57:22Z","timestamp":1782169042000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Risk perceptions of chlamydia and gonorrhoea among Dutch youth prior to a new sexually transmitted infection testing policy: a cross-sectional survey study"],"prefix":"10.1071","volume":"23","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0617-5421","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Ilja J. W.","family":"van Bergen","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"ACentre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands."},{"name":"BDepartment of IQ Health, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Zo\u00efe W.","family":"Alexiou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"ACentre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands."},{"name":"CDepartment of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands."},{"name":"DDepartment of Health Promotion, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Denise E.","family":"Twisk","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"EDepartment of Public Health, Public Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Rotterdam, The Netherlands."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Colette","family":"van Bokhoven-Rombouts","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"FSexual Health Centre, Public Health Service Gelderland-Zuid, Nijmegen, The Netherlands."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6400-2708","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Sebastiaan A.","family":"Pronk","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"GSexual Health Centre, Public Health Service Limburg-Noord, Roermond, The Netherlands."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Joeri","family":"van Straalen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"HDepartment of Infectious Disease Control, Public Health Service Flevoland, Lelystad, The Netherlands."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Karlijn","family":"Kampman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"IPublic Health Service Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Luann","family":"Noordpool","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"JDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Janneke C. M.","family":"Heijne","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"JDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands."},{"name":"KInstitute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases (AII) and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute (APH), Amsterdam, UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marijn","family":"de Bruin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"BDepartment of IQ Health, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands."},{"name":"LDepartment of Behaviour and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Bernice M.","family":"Hoenderboom","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"ACentre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands."},{"name":"MInstitute for Public Health Genomics (IPHG), GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Daphne A.","family":"van Wees","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"ACentre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"67","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,23]]},"reference":[{"key":"2026062218571980800_R1","unstructured":"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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