Sex ed helps prevent HIV Elmira Star-Gazette, NY - Every year Planned Parenthood provides 5 million women, men and teens worldwide with the health information and services they need to prevent sexually ...
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Sexual health services 'may drive away embarrassed teenagers'
SEXUAL health services may deter young people from seeking vital help, according to a group of teenage "mystery shoppers".
The undercover volunteers reported that delays at clinics and a lack of privacy could discourage embarrassed young people from discussing sensitive issues.
The teenagers, recruited by LGBT Scotland on behalf of Healthy Respect, Lothian's sexual health demonstration project, rated nine NHS drop-in clinics and community pharmacies providing the morning-after pill free of charge.
Each was rated on ease of access; appointments and waiting times; the condition of waiting areas; the friendliness of staff, and the quality and accuracy of information. But their report highlighted a number of concerns about the barriers faced by young people, including long queues and delays in getting appointments.
"It must be emphasised that a sexual health service catering to young people cannot afford to have long waiting times and delays," the report said. "One pair of volunteers were turned away from a clinic which was open only twice a week. Staff explained to the shoppers that, even though they had arrived within the opening hours, they were still too late.
"The clinic was booked with so many appointments - over two months in advance - that only the first six drop-in patients could be seen every week. This situation is unacceptable - many young people would simply not return."
Another pair of shoppers was turned away from a pharmacy when trying to ask about emergency contraception.
"Having asked for the service, they were told to 'come back in half an hour'," the report said. "They were given no explanation why they were to be sent away. Some young people might not have the courage to come back."
The shoppers also found problems with confidentiality. "Privacy was especially bad in pharmacies," the report said. "Two different volunteers found themselves explaining personal circumstances in a public space before being taken aside to talk further. This is clearly problematic."
But the report praised aspects of the services, including the "generally superb" staff for their attitude towards young people. "Even where there were problems with other aspects of service, staff more than made up for this with professional, non-judgmental, attentive and friendly service," it said.
It is hoped the results of the £3,500 project will help to improve services in Lothian, which has one of the country's highest rates of teenage pregnancy. Scotland's youngest mother, who became pregnant at 11, is from West Lothian.
Healthy Respect, which is funded by the Scottish Executive until 2008, awarded the contract to LGBT Scotland as part of its commitment to involve young people. Moray Paterson, Healthy Respect's programme leader for education, said the results would help shape the future development of sexual health services.
He said: "What the mystery shopper report has given us is an insight into what young people think about the services. We know there are weaknesses in the service delivery. But they gave very positive feedback about the majority of staff, and the services have found that very encouraging."
Comment by Julie Davids