Exploring access and attitudes to regular sexually transmitted infection screening

The views of young, multi‐ethnic, inner‐city, female students

Bibliographic Data

ID19508252
AuthorsRebecca Normansell (Population Health Research Institute St George's, University of London London UK), Vari M Drennan (0000-0002-8915-5185, Faculty of Health, Social Care & Education St. George's, University of London & Kingston University London UK), Pippa Oakeshott (0000-0003-2568-8211, Population Health Research Institute St George's, University of London London UK)
Year2016
Volume19
Issue2
Pages322-330
Publication date2016-04-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hex.12354
PMID25703741
OpenAlexW2011185466
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited26

BACKGROUND: Low uptake of sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing by young people is a major public health problem worldwide. The aims of this qualitative, community-based study were to explore access and attitudes to STI screening in high risk, young, ethnically diverse female students. METHODS: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted at an inner-London further education college with 17 women aged 16-25 years. RESULTS: The women wanted convenient, regular STI testing and perceived this as responsible behaviour. However, they doubted the maturity of their peers who were unlikely to view themselves as candidates for testing, and feared the perceived stigma associated with testing. This was reflected in their preference for confidential testing. Despite attending their general practice for non-sexual health matters, most did not consider this option for STI testing. However, the long wait in specialist clinics was an important barrier. Many younger participants would not want postal STI sample kits sent to their homes. We found dissatisfaction with sexual health education. CONCLUSIONS: STI screening for underserved groups such as young sexually active ethnically diverse female college students needs to be confidential, convenient, easily accessed and offered in ways that allow them to consider themselves as candidates for such screening without fear of social stigma. Family doctors should be aware that young women often do not perceive primary care to be an option for accessing STI screening, and could consider ways of advertising these services. Policymakers and commissioners should be aware that clinic waiting times and lack of education remain barriers to testing

Confidentiality · Environmental health · Ethnic group · Ethnically diverse · Family medicine · Population · Preference · Psychiatry · Public health · Qualitative research · Reproductive health · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Medicine · Nursing · Reproductive tract infections research · Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment

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