Young people in rural areas face barriers to accessing sexual health care study

We held focus groups with young, rural people to seek their views on accessible and acceptable services for STI testing. Options included a free telephone consultation or a website to order postal test kits.

The group of younger people (less than 18 years) raised more concerns with using their local GP services. Trust, confidentiality, costs and parent involvement were some of the issues discussed. The older group (18 years or over and less than 25 years) felt it was easier to go and see a doctor than to use online or telephone consultations.

The study showed that free online testing services are acceptable to and address issues of access for these rural young people.