‘Be nice to us, we’re still learning’: an online survey of young people in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, about unmet need for sexual health care and improving access to services

Sexual Health ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally B. Rose ◽  
Susan M. Garrett ◽  
Eileen M. McKinlay ◽  
Sonya J. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Access To Services ◽  
Sexual Health Care

scholarly journals ‘By the way….how’s your sex life?’ – A descriptive study reporting primary health care registered nurses engagement with youth about sexual health

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhiannon Martel ◽  
Ruth Crawford ◽  
Helen Riden
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Registered Nurses ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Structured Interviews

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Youth rates of sexually transmitted infections in New Zealand are among the highest in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Registered nurses employed in primary healthcare settings (PHC RNs) may lack confidence engaging with youth about their sexual health. AIM To identify what facilitates PHC RNs to discuss sexual health with youth. METHODS This descriptive study was undertaken in two phases. In phase one, 23 PHC RNs completed an online survey. Phase two followed up the survey with semi-structured interviews with seven PHC RNs. RESULTS Most PHC RNs are female, aged between 40 and 60 years old and identify with New Zealand or other European ethnicity. Participants identified specific educational needs relating to youth sexual health that are not being met: legal and ethical issues (65%); cultural issues (65%); youth sexual (44%) and psychological (52%) development; and working with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transsexual youth (48%). Lack of time was cited as a barrier to engaging with youth about sexual health by 30% of the participants. Ongoing support practices such as regular debriefing, reflections of practice and case reviews with colleagues (74%); support from other sexual health providers (87%); and access to educational materials about youth sexual health aimed at health professionals (100%) were perceived to be useful to increase confidence in discussing sexual health with youth. DISCUSSION The PHC RNs lacked knowledge and confidence engaging with youth about sexual health. PHC RNs need resourcing to provide culturally safe, effective sexual health care to youth.

Young people seeking sexual health care but not returning for results

2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2021-055251
Author(s):  
Tetiana Kyrychenko ◽  
Nadia Valin ◽  
Thibault Chiarabini ◽  
Narjis Boukli ◽  
Dominique Decré ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Health Care

scholarly journals Sexual health practices of 16 to 19 year olds in New Zealand: an exploratory study

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja J. Ellis ◽  
Robyn Aitken
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Health Practices ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Sexual Behaviours

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTIONNew Zealand sexual health surveillance data suggest that young people aged 15–19 years are at considerable risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. Although there is an established body of international research around sexual behaviours and sexual health practices among teenagers, there is a dearth of local research focusing on this age group. AIMThe aim of this study was to explore the sexual repertoires and sexual health practices among teenagers in New Zealand with a view to better understanding levels of risk in this age group. METHODSThis study comprised a cross-sectional online survey designed to ask questions about sexual behaviours. A convenience sample of young people (n=52) aged 16–19 years living in New Zealand completed the survey. RESULTSMost participants (71.2%) were sexually active, reporting engagement in a range of sexual practices. The most commonly reported sexual behaviours were penis-in-vagina sex (86.5%) and oral sex with a person-with-a-penis (81.1%). Infrequent and inconsistent use of barrier protection across all types of sexual behaviour was also reported. DISCUSSIONThe findings of this study highlight the importance of ensuring that young people have access to sexual health education that routinely includes health information and advice addressing the full range of sexual practices, regardless of the identity classifications they may use, or that may be attributed to them.

scholarly journals Attitudes to sexual health in the United States: results from a national survey of youth aged 15–25 years

Sexual Health ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Hogben ◽  
Christopher Harper ◽  
Melissa A. Habel ◽  
Kathryn Brookmeyer ◽  
Allison Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sexual Health Care ◽  
Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Physical Intimacy

Background Several common global definitions of sexual health refer to physical, emotional and social well-being, with respect to sexuality, and also to the need for this well-being to be reflected for all individuals in relationships. How well sexual health definitions fit US youths’ attitudes to sexual health, and associations between these attitudes, sexual behaviours and sexual health care were assessed. Methods: In total, 4017 youth aged between 15 and 25 years via an online survey panel, weighted to be representative of the US population, were surveyed. Respondents reported their attitudes towards seven dimensions of sexual health that we abstracted from existing global definitions (emotional fulfillment, social connectedness, spirituality, overall pleasure, physical intimacy, mental fulfillment, reciprocal benefits). Respondents also reported on sexual health-related discussions with partners, sexual behaviours, and their use of sexual health care. Outcomes through weighted frequency estimates and ordinal regression models were reported. Results: Youth generally construed all seven dimensions as important to sexual health, with the emotional dimension rated most favourably. Attitudes to the dimensions of overall pleasure, physical intimacy and spirituality were most consistently related to sexual health discussions and behaviours. The behaviours most consistently related to sexual health attitudes were going for a sexual health check-up, discussing birth control/pregnancy and discussing risk before sex without a condom. Conclusions: Youth construal of sexual health fits well with global sexual health definitions. Attitudes to dimensions of sexual health were related to some sexual health-related behaviours, especially healthcare use and complex discussions.

General Practice funding to improve provision of adolescent primary sexual health care in New Zealand: results from an observational intervention

Sexual Health ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Morgan ◽  
Jarrod Haar
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
General Practice ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Sexual Health Care ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
Additional Funding ◽  
Gp Visits

Background: Free general practice (GP) sexual health visits for registered adolescents have been introduced in parts of New Zealand with the aim of improving provision of primary sexual health care. Published evidence of the effectiveness of such health care interventions, particularly around any impact on uptake of testing and detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, is limited. Methods: In 2003–2004, additional funding enabled 20 practices in Waikato, New Zealand to offer free sexual health consultations for registered under-25 year olds. Practice selection was non-random and biased towards lower socioeconomic, Māori and rural populations. Registered population data were linked to laboratory testing for C. trachomatis from January 2003 to December 2005. Twenty-nine practices without additional funding served as controls. Results: Chlamydia testing among under-25 year olds at the 20 intervention practices increased over time, in contrast to non-intervention practices, with coverage of females aged 18–24 years within the intervention increasing from 13.9% in 2003, to 15.5% during the roll-out phase and to 16.8% in 2005. Intervention practices had higher test positivity rates than non-intervention practices (8.7% v. 5.9%, P < 0.01) with increases in test positivity, from 7.7% in 2003 to 10% in 2005, relating mainly to increases in positive tests among females aged less than 25 years. There was no increase in testing or detection among those aged 25 years and older at intervention practices. Conclusions: Introducing free GP visits for under-25 year olds living in rural and lower socioeconomic areas in New Zealand was associated with a significant increase in testing and detection for C. trachomatis in the target age group. This observational intervention supports the ongoing provision of free adolescent primary sexual health care.

scholarly journals Access to sexual healthcare during New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown: cross-sectional online survey of 15–24-year-olds in a high deprivation region

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjsrh-2020-200986
Author(s):  
Sally B Rose ◽  
Susan M Garrett ◽  
Eileen M McKinlay ◽  
Sonya J Morgan
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Young People ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
High Deprivation ◽  
Sexual Healthcare

BackgroundNew Zealand’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic involved a nationwide stay-at-home lockdown in March–April 2020 that restricted access to primary healthcare services.MethodsAn online survey of 15–24-year-olds in a high deprivation region of New Zealand asked about the need for, and receipt of, sexual healthcare during lockdown. Experience of telehealth and preferences for future receipt of sexual healthcare were also explored. Social media advertising was used to recruit participants over five weeks in August and October 2020.ResultsThe survey sample included 500 respondents comprising 58.8% females, 25.4% Māori (indigenous) ethnicity and 21.4% LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex +) young people. During lockdown, 22.2% of respondents reported sexual health needs (111/500), but fewer than half this group got help (45%, 50/111), believing their issue could wait, or due to barriers contacting services and lack of information about service availability. Experience of telehealth consultations (by 28/50 participants) was mostly favourable though only 46% agreed it was easier than going to the clinic. Telehealth methods were the preferred option by some participants for future receipt of sexual healthcare; but for most scenarios suggested, respondents favoured in-person clinic visits.ConclusionsYoung people experienced unmet need for sexual healthcare during lockdown in New Zealand, but not because services were unavailable. Findings point to the need for targeted information dissemination to young people about available services and the importance of seeking help during lockdown. More research is needed to understand the advantages and disadvantages of sexual healthcare delivered via telehealth to inform future service provision.

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