New Survey Shows The Need To Remove Barriers To Sexually Transmitted Infection (STIs) Prevention For Women And Girls

A new survey from Family Planning shows that in a health
system under pressure, we need to remove barriers for people
getting STI tests and information and ensure women and girls
are not overlooked in STI prevention initiatives.

The
survey of over 1,000 people – 84% of whom were women and
girls – found that 63% of participants had never had a
health practitioner talk to them about getting an STI test,
unless they brought it up or had symptoms. This rises to 77%
among 16-19-year-olds, and over half of 20-24-year-olds had
also never been asked.

“We know that health
practitioners in primary care are already under extreme
pressure, with staff shortages and high demand for
services,” said Dr Tania Huria, Director of Hauora Māori
and Equity at Family Planning. “Supporting people to
self-test is part of the solution because people can manage
their own health and get a test quickly, without needing to
wait for an appointment.”

“The STI self-testing that
Family Planning offers is popular with young people, who are
at greatest risk of STIs. These sorts of options should be
expanded, but we also need to make sure there is adequate
follow-up where someone tests positive.”

Family
Planning chief executive Jackie Edmond says the survey
findings confirm that women and girls must be included in
initiatives to expand STI testing and treatment options and
health promotion.

The survey also found that 47% of
participants were asked about STI tests at the time of a
cervical screen.

“This was a surprise to us, but it
makes sense given the way the old tests were done, that if
you were having a screen, you might as well get a swab for
STIs while you are there,” said Ms Edmond. “With cervical
screening changing to every five years, and with a
self-testing option, it is important that we don’t lose
the opportunity to test for STIs and develop other
opportunities for opportunistic testing. Making sure these
include options that focus on the specific needs of women
and girls is critical.”

Over 85% of people responding
to the survey felt that STI information should be shared
through relationships and sexuality education in
school.

The survey also showed that school was a
critical place to learn about sexual health, and how to have
healthy
relationships.

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