Young Australians’ receptiveness to discussing sexual health with a general practitioner

• Published in: Australian journal of primary health 2023-12, Vol.29 (6), p.587-595
• Main Authors: Bittleston, Helen, Hocking, Jane S., Coombe, Jacqueline, Temple-Smith, Meredith, Goller, Jane L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age groups; Chlamydia; Cisgender; Confidentiality; Consent; Country of birth; Ethics; Family physicians; Gays & lesbians; Gender identity; General practice; Gonorrhea; Health care access; Health education; Health services; Health surveys; Heterosexuality; Infertility; Men; Native peoples; Non-binary gender; Primary care; Receptivity; Reproductive health; Sex education; Sexual health; Sexual health promotion; Sexuality; Sexually transmitted diseases; Social media; Social networks; STD; Truth; Women; Womens health; Young adults; Youth
• ISSN: 1448-7527; 1836-7399
• DOI: 10.1071/PY23083

Background Most sexual health care in Australia is provided through general practice. However, many young Australians experience barriers to accessing sexual health care. This research examines young Australians’ receptiveness to discussing sexual health with a general practitioner (GP). Methods We conducted an anonymous online sexual health survey (open 2 May to 21 June 2022). Anyone living in Australia aged 16–29 years was eligible to participate. Participants were recruited via social media and asked whether they agreed with five statements exploring their receptivity to discussing sexual health with GPs. We explored characteristics associated with responses using multivariable logistic regression. Results Among 1915 participants, 69.3% were cisgender women, with a median age of 20 years; 48.5% were heterosexual. Approximately one-fifth agreed they might not tell a GP the whole truth about their sexual history, would be worried about confidentiality when discussing their sexual history and would be too embarrassed to see their usual GP if they thought they had a sexually transmitted infection. Over half (55.8%) agreed they would be comfortable with a GP bringing up sexual health in an unrelated consultation, but 39.6% would be nervous to bring up sexual health in case they needed an intimate examination. Multivariate regression identified several characteristics associated with responses. Notably, having a school-based sex education and a usual GP were factors associated with increased receptivity to discussing sexual health. Conclusions Young Australians were generally open to discussing sexual health with a GP. School-based sex education and GP–patient relationships are key to promoting sexual health among young people.