title: Sexually transmitted infection health-care seeking behaviour in the Netherlands: general practitioner attends to the majority of sexually transmitted infection consultations.
abstract: Health-care seeking behaviour for sexually transmitted infection (STI)-related symptoms is not well known in the Netherlands. Within the framework of a large representative study, the second National Survey of General Practice (NIVEL 2001), 9687 persons aged 18 years and older were interviewed about their STI and STI-related health-care seeking behaviour. In total, 1.2% of the interviewees reported STI-related symptoms in the past year (18-24 years: 5%). A (lifetime) history of STI was reported by 2.7% (18-44 years: 4%). In all, 63% of interviewees visited their general practitioner (GP) for these complaints; 20% went to an STI-clinic and/or municipal public health services and 8% to a different care-provider. A total of 9% did not undertake any action. The majority of persons with STI-related symptoms in the Netherlands visit the GP. Reported history of STI-related symptoms was twice lower in the Netherlands compared with the UK National Sexual Health Survey. Appropriate attention for sexual health in primary care is needed.
authors.affiliation: STI AIDS The Nederland (Soa Aids Nederland), Amsterdam, The Netherlands. jvanbergen@soaaids.nl
authors.forename: Jan Eam
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: van Bergen
authors.forename: Jan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kerssens
authors.forename: Francois G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Schellevis
authors.forename: Theo G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Sandfort
authors.forename: Ton T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Coenen
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bindels
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*