Finding a segue into sex: young men's views on discussing sexual health with a GP.
BACKGROUND
Young men are vulnerable in regard to sexual health. Despite knowing how GPs feel about bringing up sexual health in an unrelated consultation, we know little about how young men feel about GPs bringing up sexual health. This study explores the research question 'Do young Victorian males feel comfortable talking about sexual health with a GP?'.


METHODS
One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 young male students aged 16-25 years. All interviews were au-dio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed.


RESULTS
Interviews took 10-46 minutes. Young men were generally happy for GPs, preferably a young male GP, to bring up sexual health in an unrelated consultation. Young men are vulnerable in regard to sexual health for multiple reasons, including lack of knowledge, apathy and immaturity.


CONCLUSIONS
GPs should raise sexual health issues with young men wherever possible. They should broach the topic in a sensitive manner, offer a screening test and some brief sexual health education.
MBBS FRACGP, Academic Registrar, University of Melbourne, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care Academic Centre, Melbourne, VIC.
Sarah
S
Latreille
Archibald
A
Collyer
Meredith
M
Temple-Smith
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D057565:Apathy; D001315:Australia; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D058006:General Practice; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult