We know that young people are vulnerable when it comes to the availability of R&SH information and knowing the support resources used by young people for their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) as they experience rapid physical, emotional and social growth and change, often resulting in risk taking behaviours that reflect adolescent developmental processes of experimentation and exploration.
The SRH issues they face are broad and diverse, indicative of their social and biological development, and primary health care providers have a key role in supporting young people to navigate the physical, emotional and social changes that underpin their reproductive and sexual wellbeing.
In our work with young people and primary care, we have found some common themes which young people tell us about that can offer insight for general practice services and other primary health providers to better engage adolescents and young people through principles of effective and appropriate communication. Some of these critical issues which limit or facilitate their engagement with their own sexual health and with sexual health providers include:
- The need for youth-friendly care
- Confidentiality and privacy
- Contraception awareness, access and support
- Pregnancy prevention
- Knowledge about sexually transmissible infections
- Acceptance and understanding relating to the individual’s sex and gender diversity
- Perceived and real cost of services
- Specific issues related to Aboriginality and cultural diversity
- Consent and respectful relationships
- Awareness of services and referral pathways
- Availability of R&SH information and knowing the support resources used by young people
What Does Youth-Friendly Sexual Health Care Involve?
Effective youth-friendly sexual health care should make it easier for young people to access appropriate information and services without unnecessary barriers. This can include confidential consultations, clear communication, accessible service information, appropriate screening and contraception support, and referral pathways for more specialised care. Primary care teams can also review how their physical environment, policies and communication practices affect young people’s willingness to seek sexual and reproductive health support.
Primary health care providers who are points of contact for youth and best placed to offer evidence-based approaches to meeting their sexual health needs include General Practitioners, nurses, counsellors, youth workers, Aboriginal Health Workers, and allied health professionals working with young people. Providers should be using a service coordination guide (see Family Planning Victoria for an example) and creating local service maps, embedding opportunistic screening, conducting a youth-friendly audit, and building staff capacity in youth-friendly psychosocial tools such as HEADSS to deliver evidence-based youth-friendly sexual health care.
Improving Youth Sexual Health Services in Primary Care
Improving youth sexual health services requires primary care organisations to consider local needs, existing services and the barriers young people experience when seeking support. Service mapping can identify available providers, referral options and gaps in local care pathways. Larter can support healthcare organisations with service planning, service mapping and workforce capability to strengthen youth-friendly primary care and improve coordination between services.
Conclusion
Youth sexual health is an important part of primary healthcare, and services need to be accessible, confidential and responsive to the needs of young people. Youth-friendly communication, appropriate screening, contraception support, clear referral pathways and culturally responsive care can help primary care providers better support adolescents and young people.
Larter Consulting supports healthcare organisations with service planning, service mapping, workforce capability and healthcare improvement. By considering local needs and strengthening coordination between primary care and community services, organisations can develop more responsive youth sexual health services and improve access to appropriate support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Youth sexual health in primary care includes information, prevention, screening, contraception, pregnancy-related support and referral services for adolescents and young people.
Youth-friendly care can help reduce barriers to accessing services by providing confidential, respectful and accessible support that considers the needs and circumstances of young people.
Depending on the provider and service setting, primary care can offer sexual health information, STI screening, contraception support, pregnancy-related care and referrals to other appropriate services.
Services can improve support by strengthening confidentiality, communication, screening processes, referral pathways, service accessibility and staff capability.
Clear referral pathways help primary care providers connect young people with appropriate specialist, community and other health services when their needs require additional support.