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. 1999 Jun;89(6):899–902. doi: 10.2105/ajph.89.6.899

Sexual health risk assessment and counseling in primary care: how involved are general practitioners and obstetrician-gynecologists?

N Haley 1, B Maheux 1, M Rivard 1, A Gervais 1
PMCID: PMC1508643  PMID: 10358682

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study examined physicians' evaluation of sexual health risks during a general medical examination and sexually transmitted disease (STD) counseling during consultations for adolescent contraception and treatment of an STD. METHODS: An anonymous mail survey was conducted in 1995 with a stratified random sample of 1086 general practitioners and all 241 obstetrician-gynecologists practicing in Quebec, Canada. RESULTS: Fewer than half of the respondents reported routinely inquiring about condom use and number of sexual partners during a general medical examination. Female general practitioners engaged in more sexual health risk assessment and counseling than male general practitioners. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a low level of involvement in STD prevention by generalists and obstetrician-gynecologists.

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Selected References

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