Many Parents Would Accept Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening for Their Adolescent at a Pediatric Office Visit

Area of Science:

• Adolescent health
• Public health
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Sexually active adolescents face high risks for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• STI screening is often infrequent during routine pediatric visits due to barriers like lack of parental support and confidentiality concerns.
• Adolescent STIs represent a significant public health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine parental acceptance of chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for adolescents aged 15–17 during pediatric visits.
• To assess parental views on the importance of sexual health services for adolescents.
• To understand parental perspectives on adolescent privacy during healthcare consultations.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 168 parents of adolescents.
• Data collection occurred during outpatient pediatric office visits in Western Pennsylvania.
• The survey focused on parental attitudes towards STI screening and adolescent sexual health services.

Main Results:

• A majority of parents (63%) expressed acceptance of STI screening for their adolescent during pediatric visits.
• A significant majority of parents (73%) believe it is important for adolescents to have private time with their healthcare provider.
• Parents rated the importance of discussing sexual health on par with other essential preventive health topics.

Conclusions:

• Pediatricians should proactively offer STI screening to adolescents, given the high prevalence of infections.
• Ensuring private time for adolescents with their providers is crucial for effective sexual health counseling and screening.
• Addressing parental concerns and emphasizing the importance of sexual health discussions can improve adolescent healthcare outcomes.