Natsal_clinic_attendance_sextrans-2017-053193_OnlineFirst.pdf (425.12 kB)
Sexual health clinic attendance and non-attendance in Britain: findings from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 08:22 authored by Clare Tanton, Rebecca S Geary, Soazig Clifton, Nigel Field, Katie L Heap, Fiona Mapp, Gwenda Hughes, Anne M Johnson, Jackie Cassell, Pam Sonnenberg, Catherine H MercerObjectives In Britain, sexual health clinics (SHCs) are the most common location for STI diagnosis but many people with STI risk behaviours do not attend. We estimate prevalence of SHC attendance and how this varies by sociodemographic and behavioural factors (including unsafe sex) and describe hypothetical service preferences for those reporting unsafe sex.Methods Complex survey analyses of data from Britain’s third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles, a probability survey of 15 162 people aged 16–74 years, undertaken 2010–2012.Results Overall, recent attendance (past year) was highest among those aged 16–24 years (16.6% men, 22.4% women), decreasing with age (<1.5% among those 45–74 years). Approximately 15% of sexually-active 16–74 year olds (n=1002 men; n=1253 women) reported ‘unsafe sex’ (condomless first sex with a new partner and/or >=2 partners and no condom use, past year); >75% of these had not attended a SHC (past year). However, of non-attenders aged 16–44 years, 18.7% of men and 39.0% of women reported chlamydia testing (past year) with testing highest in women aged <25 years. Of those aged 16–44 years reporting unsafe sex, the majority who reported previous SHC attendance would seek STI care there, whereas the majority who had not would use general practice.Conclusion While most reporting unsafe sex had not attended a SHC, many, particularly younger women, had tested for chlamydia suggesting engagement with sexual health services more broadly. Effective, diverse service provision is needed to engage those at-risk and ensure that they can attend services appropriate to their needs.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Sexually Transmitted InfectionsISSN
1368-4973Publisher
BMJExternal DOI
Issue
4Volume
94Page range
267-725Department affiliated with
- Primary Care and Public Health Publications
Research groups affiliated with
- Andrew and Virginia Rudd Centre for Adoption Research and Practice Publications
- Centre for Cultures of Reproduction, Technologies and Health Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2017-10-23First Open Access (FOA) Date
2017-10-23First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2017-10-21Usage metrics
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