title: New developments in service delivery. Are GP led sexual health clinics acceptable and satisfactory for patients attending?
abstract: Worldwide, sexually transmitted infections (STls) are among the most common causes of disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate why people attend a community based sexual health clinic and the benefits and satisfaction levels of providing this service to them. Phase I of the study was a cross sectional survey. Phase II was a retrospective review. Phase 1: N ='80 (41 F, 39 M - mean age 24.8 (SD 6.49)), 45 (56.3%) requested a general sexual health screen. Phase 2: N = 273, (139 F, 134 M - mean age 23.7 (SD 5.87)) 47 (15.5%/) reported use of condoms, 126(41.6%) do not use condoms ever, while 73 (24.1%) reported using condoms sometimes. 47 individuals (17%) tested positive for chlamydia. Attendees to the clinic expressed a high level of satisfaction overall with the services provided. The low use of condoms amongst a subgroup of patients with several sexual partners and the high level of chlamydia are causes for concern.
authors.affiliation: Ballymun Family Practice, 1st Floor Civic Centre, Main St, Ballymun, Dublin 9. drseamusduffy@gmail.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duffy
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Darker
authors.forename: B O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Conlon
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hollywood
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult