Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background General practitioners (GPs) conduct the majority of STI/HIV (sexually transmitted infections/human immunodeficiency virus) testing in men. Given the overall low prevalence of STI in general practice, GPs undertake targeted risk assessment and testing of their patients. Little, however, is known about the extent of STI and HIV risk assessment in general practice, the consistency of questioning or the extent to which GPs identify patients with risk behaviours. Aim To explore STI and HIV testing strategies for men by GPs in the Wellington region. Methodology This study employs a cross-sectional survey of GP testing patterns adjoining a qualitative, multiple-case study, drawing on semi-structured interviews with seventeen GPs from the Wellington region. The testing behaviour of two cohorts of GPs is studied – those who frequently test for STI/HIV and those who infrequently test – stratified by practice size, the location and GP gender. Results This study provides new insights into the risk assessment and testing behaviour of GPs in relation to STI and HIV and men. Several salient findings are highlighted. Amongst them include, first, GPs dictate the quality of sexual health services, including the intensity of case findings through risk assessment and testing. Second, a wide
Author: Martin Woodbridge
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W43781224