Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections in <16’s attending a GUM clinic

Introduction: We established whether number of sexual partners and vulnerability factors were associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in <16 year olds.

Methods: Data was captured on <16’s attending a GUM clinic 01/01/15–31/12/15, using a standardised electronic proforma. Data collected: Demographics, appointment type, postcode, STIs, pregnancy, contraception, number of sexual partners and vulnerability factors (mental health, drug use, history of abuse, known to outside agencies, gang involvement).

Results: 236 attendances by 124 patients; 89/124 (72%) new, 35/124 (28%) rebook. 50/124 (40%) <16s resident in GUM clinic borough, 59/124 (48%) from neighbouring boroughs. 107/124 (86%) female. Ethnicity: 54/124 (43%) White British, 32/124 (30%) Caribbean, 15/124 (12%) African. Median age at first attendance 14.6 years (range 12-15). 47/88 (53%) patients using contraception and 23/107 (21%) females had pregnancy test; 2/23 (8.7%) positive. 31/124 (25%) were diagnosed with or were contact of an STI (Chlamydia n=21, Gonorrhoea n=5, PID n=2, HSV n=2, HIV n-1), of whom 9/31 (29%) reported ≥ one vulnerability factor. Average number of sexual partners in this group was 3.45 (Range 0-15). 93/124 (75%) were not diagnosed with an STI, of whom 27/93 (29%) reported ≥ one vulnerability factor. Average number of sexual partners was 1.75 (Range 0-20).

Discussion: 29% of patients (36/124) attending the clinic had ≥ one vulnerability factor. <16s diagnosed with an STI were not significantly more likely to have a vulnerability factor than those who were not. However, those diagnosed with an STI had a greater number of sexual partners than those without a diagnosis.

Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections in <16's attending a GUM clinic

The Joint Annual Conference of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV & the Society for the Study of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Ireland