PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Parkes, Alison
AU  - Wight, Daniel
AU  - Henderson, Marion
TI  - Teenagers&#039; use of sexual health services: perceived need, knowledge and ability to access
AID  - 10.1783/0000000042177225
DP  - 2004 Oct 01
TA  - Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care
PG  - 217--224
VI  - 30
IP  - 4
4099  - http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/30/4/217.short
4100  - http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/30/4/217.full
SO  - J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care2004 Oct 01; 30
AB  - Introduction An individual teenager&#039;s use of services may depend on perceived need, on knowledge of sexual health and local services, and on ability to access. This paper presents the first UK large-scale quantitative analysis of these factors, comparing those who use services with those who do not. Methods 15/16-year-olds (n = 5747) were questioned about their use of sexual health services in the SHARE trial of a school sex education programme in 25 schools in Lothian and Tayside, Scotland, UK. Multilevel statistical models examined the role of different factors on service use. Results One-third of teenagers had used a service, and use was strongly related to sexual experience. In addition, some family influences and being a school leaver were associated with service use, although we found no evidence for class, ethnic or religious barriers to use. Proximity to specialist clinics was linked with greater use, while low spending money and high parental monitoring were associated with less use. Teenagers with better knowledge, who rated their school sex education as effective, who were comfortable talking about sex and who had discussed contraception with peers were more likely to have used services. Differences in use relating to sexual experience, knowledge, feeling comfortable talking about sex and talking with peers helped to explain gender differences in service uptake. Conclusion There is potential to influence service use through better knowledge and confidence imparted through school sex education, and by improving the links between services and schools.