'Be nice to us, we're still learning': An online survey of young people in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, about unmet need for sexual health care and improving access to services

Abstract

Background: Young people need equitable access to high-quality sexual and reproductive health care to enjoy good sexual health. Methods: This online survey of people aged 15-24 years in a defined region of New Zealand asked about unmet need for sexual health care and sought views on improving access to sexual health care. Results: Five hundred participants took part in the study between August and October 2020, of whom 60% were female, 25% were of Māori (indigenous) ethnicity, and 21.4% were gender and/or sexuality diverse. Sixty percent had ever received sexual health care (300/500), and 74.3% received it from a general practice clinic (223/300). Overall, 41% (204/500) reported they needed, but had not received sexual health care in the past ('unmet need'). Reasons for unmet need included being shy, embarrassed or ashamed (74.5%, 152/204), fear of judgment by clinic staff (42.6%, 87/204), cost (32.8%, 67/204), concerns about confidentiality (28.9%, 59/204), and not knowing where to go (24%, 49/204). Māori participants were more likely to report not knowing where to go (32.1% vs 20%, P = 0.04). Participants identified the need to reduce stigma, normalise sexual health care, improve convenience, affordability and awareness of services as key to improving access. Reassurance about confidentiality and being treated with kindness, empathy and respect were deemed critical to service acceptability. Conclusions: Action is urgently needed at policy, funding and practice levels to improve access to services by: reducing societal stigma, normalising discussions around sexual health, improving affordability and raising awareness of services. Quality improvement is also needed in general practice to ensure young people can routinely access youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health care.