Sexual history taking and sexually transmissible infection screening practices among men who have sex with men: a survey of Victorian general practitioners

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doi:10.1071/SH10079

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Sexual history taking and sexually transmissible infection screening practices among men who have sex with men: a survey of Victorian general practitioners

Bridget Barber ^A ^C, Margaret Hellard ^B, Rebecca Jenkinson ^B, Tim Spelman ^B and Mark Stoove ^B

^A Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahan, Vic. 3181, Australia.
^B Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.
^C Corresponding author. Email: bridgetbarber@hotmail.com

Sexual Health 8(3) 349-354 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/SH10079
Submitted: 30 June 2010 Accepted: 10 January 2011 Published: 23 May 2011





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Abstract

Background: HIV notifications among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Victoria, Australia, have increased recently. Early HIV diagnosis is a prevention strategy that requires general practitioners (GP) to recognise at-risk individuals and perform screening. Sexual history taking is part of this process. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 354 Victorian GP to investigate attitudes and practices regarding sexual history taking and screening for HIV in MSM. Results: In total, 185 (53%, 95% CI: 47–58%) GPs reported being ‘very likely’ to take a sexual history from MSM presenting for a routine check-up; however 161 (46%, 95% CI: 40–51%) would not do so during the initial consultation. Barriers to sexual history taking included time constraints (28%, 95% CI: 24–36%), feeling inadequately trained (25%, 95% CI: 21–30%), discomfort discussing sex (24%, 95% CI: 20–29%) and fear of patient embarrassment (24%, 95% CI: 20–29%). Factors associated with a reduced likelihood included being male, time constraints, fear of patient embarrassment, and moral or religious views. Most GP (63%, 95% CI: 58–68%) reported they would offer HIV screening 3–6 monthly for MSM with casual partners; 54 (16%, 95% CI: 12–20%) would offer screening only on request. Being unlikely to take a sexual history and fear of patient embarrassment were associated with a decreased likelihood of offering an HIV test. Conclusion: GP often fail to take a sexual history from MSM, limiting opportunities to offer HIV screening. Strategies are required to increase GPs’ awareness of sexual health as a priority for MSM.

Additional keywords: Australia, barriers, HIV, testing.

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