title: Increasing access to sexual health care for rural and regional young people: Similarities and differences in the views of young people and service providers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to describe the views of sexual health service providers on access issues for young people and consider them together with the views of young people themselves.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional mixed-methods study design involving semi-structured interviews with health service providers and an electronic survey with young people.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four towns in rural and regional Queensland, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 32 service providers: 9 sexual health nurses, 8 general practitioners, 6 school-based youth health nurses, 5 sexual health educators, 2 Australian Aboriginal health workers and 2 youth workers. There were 391 young people who participated in the Young People's Survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Themes generated from interviews with service providers and quantitative data from young people addressing access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for rural and regional young people.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Service providers frequently identified structural barriers, confidentiality and lack of awareness of SRH services as barriers for young people seeking SRH care. Young people also reported that structural factors such as transport, cost and service operating hours were important; however, they placed greater value on personal attributes of service providers, particularly welcoming and non-judgemental attitudes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health service policy and training focused on attitudinal qualities of individual service providers may improve access to SRH services for young people. Selective staff recruitment and professional development are important to increase sensitivity to youth issues. Promotion of non-judgemental and confidential care may also improve access for youth.
authors: General Practice and Rural Medicine, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Johnston
authors: Family Planning Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Harvey
authors: General Practice and Rural Medicine, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Paula
authors: P
authors: Matich
authors: General Practice and Rural Medicine, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.|Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Priscilla
authors: P
authors: Page
authors: General Practice and Rural Medicine, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.|Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Clare
authors: C
authors: Jukka
authors: General Practice and Rural Medicine, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.|Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Hollins
authors: General Practice and Rural Medicine, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.|Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Larkins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011793:Queensland; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012736:Sex Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: access; barrier; rural youth; service provider; sexual health