Citation

Paton SL, Fernando I, Lamont RF. Int. J. STD AIDS 2010; 21(9): 642-647.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1258/ijsa.2010.010189

PMID

21097738

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the use of sexual and reproductive health services by adolescents aged 15 years and younger. A case-note review was conducted at both a genitourinary medicine clinic and a family planning clinic in Edinburgh, UK. The demographics of the attendees, reasons for attending, risk factors, diagnostic tests undertaken and contraceptive advice given differed between the two clinics. Approximately 73% of attendees with documented responses used alcohol and 21% used recreational drugs, 5% reported self-harm, 25% reported being victims of sexual assault, 13% had a current sexually transmitted infection and 6% of girls had already been pregnant. While this group of young people understand the differences in emphasis between the clinics, adolescents may be intimidated and discouraged from attending or may fail to return, and the combination of overlap, together with omissions in cross-clinic function, suggests that for this age group the services of these clinics should be combined.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Female; Male; Adolescent; Pregnancy; United Kingdom; Counseling; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Family Planning Services; Contraception Behavior; Reproductive Health Services