1. New Developments in Service Delivery: Are GP led Community Based Sexual Health Clinics Acceptable and Satisfactory for Patients Attending? Dr. Seamus Duffy. TCD / HSE Specialist Training Programme in General Practice Introduction Sexual Health is an important part of overall wellbeing. Worldwide, sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) are among the most common causes of disease and are an increasing cause of ill health. In Ireland, rising STI rates have increased the level of concern in this area among health professionals, the government and the public. The responsibility for the management of sexual health problems are increasingly being carried out in the primary care setting. Questionnaire Results - Demographic Information: N=80 M=39 (48.8%) F=41 (51.2%) Age Range 15 - 44 Mean 24.8 SD 6.499 Medical Card: Yes 43 (53.8%) No 37 (46.3%). 11 (13.8%) live 6 - 20 miles from the clinic. Main Reasons for Attendance: 1. General sexual health screen n=45 (56.3%) 2. Unprotected sexual intercourse n=28 (35%) Satisfaction Rating: > 98% satisfaction with the clinic along several parameters including service received, information given, staff approach and consultation style. Clinic Information: 73 (91.3%) have a GP. 22 (27.5%) referred by own GP. 37 (46.3%) patients of Ballymun Family Practice (population 8000) 43 (53.8%) not patients of the practice. Methods Phase 1: An anonymous, prospective, doctor administered questionnaire survey was undertaken using a random sample methodology to determine why people specifically attend a community based sexual health clinic, and to determine their level of satisfaction with it. Phase 2: A retrospective chart analysis was conducted to determine the sexual profile of patients attending the clinic. Ethical approval was granted by the TCD HSE GP Training Scheme Ethics Committee. Acknowledgements Dr. Brid Hollywood, Dr. Tara Conlon, Dr. Brendan O ‘Shea, Dr. Catherine Darker Sexual Profile Results: N = 273 M= 134 (50.9%) F = 139 (49.1%) Of the 134 males - 22 (16.4%) advised that they do not use condoms, engaged in sexual intercourse with between 2 - 10 sexual partners in the last 3 months. Of the 139 females - 17 (12.2%) advised they do not use condoms tested positive for chlamydia - 6 (.04%) advised that they sometimes use condoms tested positive for chlamydia. Key Findings Population using the sexual health clinic are different to the normal practice population of the study area i.e. Ballymun D9. High levels of satisfaction and acceptability clearly evident among patients attending. Good communication clearly matters. GP’s are happy to refer to a community based sexual health clinic. Large numbers attending in a 12 month period. Not seeing as many LGB individuals as statistics would suggest. Low use of condoms. High levels of chlamydia. Low levels of other STI’s. Discussion The low use of condoms in general & among those with several sexual partners is a worrying finding - education & promotion of safe sex is essential especially to young males. The high level of chlamydia amongst females is also worrying - Are females only concerned with preventing pregnancy? Education re safe sex and the long term health implications of having chlamydia is needed. References 1. Donym S. Sexual health entering primary care: is prevention better than cure? J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2004; 30: 267. 2. Cassell JA, Brook MG, Mercer CH, et al. Treating sexually transmitted infections in primary care: a missed opportunity? Sex Transm Infect 2003;79:134-6.