| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to examine the opinions of current clients of
the sexual health clinics operated by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU)
concerning the existing delivery of clinic service. The SMDHU is mandated to provide
contraceptive and sexually transmitted infection (STI) services for vulnerable groups,
including adolescents. Contraceptive services are limited to those aged 20 and younger,
while STI services are provided for all ages. The SMDHU has targeted the adolescent
population for its sexual health services, particularly its birth control services, as youth
are among those at highest risk of negative consequences associated with unplanned
pregnancies and STIs.
Study objectives were to determine the types of service that the clients of the
sexual health clinics felt they required; to determine which aspects of service the clients
perceived as most important; and to determine the level of client satisfaction with the
clinic locations, service availability, confidentiality, as well as staff attitudes and
knowledge.
A survey was developed by the researcher to obtain information from clinic
clients including demographics, the specific needs that prompted a clinic visit and the
reasons for choosing the sexual health clinic to meet these needs. Respondents were
asked to choose and rank the most important aspects of clinic service and to evaluate
satisfaction with wait time, clinic location, ease of access, staff attitudes, confidentiality
and satisfaction with treatment received. Open-ended questions included the opportunity
to provide an opinion about the clinic location and a question asking what was most and
least liked about the clinic visit.
Data were collected from 161 clinic clients over a 12 week period, with
participants from each of the seven clinic locations. The age of respondents ranged from
13 to 63 years of age with a mean age of 22 and a median age of 20 years. The majority
of clinic visits were made for STI testing or treatment (59.6%), with 36% seeking birth
control, and 6.2% of clients wanting counselling or information. The proportion of STI
visits increased with client age, while younger clients were more likely to attend clinic
for birth control services.
The most important and best liked features of the clinic service were found to be the
availability of a female provider, the respectful, non-judgemental attitudes of clinic staff,
the comfortable clinic atmosphere, confidentiality and the ability to receive the desired
care or treatment. Overall client satisfaction was high. The majority of participants were
pleased with the clinic location, the speed of service, the availability of clinic
appointments, the level of confidentiality and the care received. Most survey respondents
indicated satisfaction with staff attitudes, knowledge and behaviour.
Study recommendations include strengthening community partnerships to better coordinate
delivery of sexual health services, increasing the advertising of clinic services,
and expansion of services to Huntsville. In order to continue to provide services in an
appropriate and sensitive manner, the sexual health program must continue to support
staff development through in-services and opportunities for staff to attend conferences
dealing with adolescent sexuality.
Further research should include surveying youth and adolescents in the community to
assess the level of awareness of clinic service, the accessibility of current clinic locations,
and the perceived sexual health needs of the target population. Another important area for future research is to evaluate the outcomes of sexual health clinic service including
increased knowledge and intent to practice safer sex. | |
