title: Client acceptability of the use of computers in a sexual health clinic.
abstract: Computers in sexual health medicine largely remain provider-centred for use in client care, data collection, administration and education. As a formative study for further work we undertook a cross-sectional survey of 679 consecutive new clients attending Melbourne Sexual Health clinic (MSHC) between 9 September 2002 and 15 October 2002 to establish client familiarity and experience with computers and acceptance of computer use in the clinic. A response rate of 616/679 (91%) was achieved. Important findings were: 1. 491/612 (80%) participants reported experience with a personal computer. 2. The majority 488/609 (80%) of clients expected computer technologies to be used in the clinic. 3. The proportion of clients not willing to supply their registration, general health or sexual behaviour details using a computer was 9%, 7% and 21%, respectively. 4. Clients assessed as being at higher risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection were no more reluctant than others to provide their details using a computer-assisted self-interview.
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, 580 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia. rtideman@mshc.org.au
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Tideman
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Pitts
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Fairley
mesh_terms: D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D003201:Computers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012984:Software; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure