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

Sexually active adolescents are at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yet screening is infrequently performed during pediatric visits. Lack of parent support and confidentiality are barriers. We explored whether parents of 15- to 17-year-olds would accept chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for their adolescent during a pediatric visit and assessed parental views on the importance of sexual health services.

A survey of 168 parents of adolescents was conducted during an outpatient pediatric office visit in Western Pennsylvania.

Most parents (63%) accept STI screening for their adolescent during a pediatric visit, and 73% think it is important that adolescents spend time alone with their provider. Parents ranked the importance of discussing sexual health as high as other preventive health topics.

Given the burden of STIs among adolescents, pediatricians should use this information to facilitate STI screening during office visits, secure time alone with their patients, and offer sexual health counseling.