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

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.