Using Sexual Health Services – Experiences of Local People
In our Let’s Talk About Sexual Health Report, we found that Hertfordshire residents generally had good access to sexual health services and a reasonable level of understanding and confidence about sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV prevention and testing.
However, 15% of those who responded to our online survey said they had actually seen any information about sexual health in the last 12 months, such as use of condoms, getting tested, local services and treatment.
Hertfordshire County Council commissions Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (CLCH) to provide specialist sexual health services across the County, with centres in Watford, Stevenage and Hatfield and clinics in Elstree and Cheshunt. This includes access to free STI testing kits and contraception online. Since April 2023, Metro Charity has also been commissioned by the Council to deliver Sexual Health Education and Prevention Services, including outreach to those at higher risk of poor sexual health.
How did we do this research?
Between September and November 2023, we invited Hertfordshire residents aged 18 years and over to complete an online survey. In total, we received 130 responses.
The research was designed to find out about people’s understanding of sexual health and their access to sexual health services across Hertfordshire, rather than users’ experiences of the services themselves. The specific aims of the engagement were as follows:
- To understand public views and attitudes towards sexual health and sexual health services
- To explore public awareness of important sexual health information
- To explore understanding of sexual health and testing services
- To identify barriers to STI and HIV testing
What did people tell us?
During 2022/23, more than 23,000 patients attended sexual health services in Hertfordshire, resulting in around 30,000 face-to-face consultations. There has also been a significant increase in the availability of online testing services and in 2022/23, more than 32,000 online tests were ordered in Hertfordshire.
Since April 2023, a new chat bot function has been introduced on the Sexual Health Hertfordshire website, providing people with quick answers to commonly asked questions regarding sexual health, contraception and local services.
Some people suggested sexual health services could do more outreach work in health settings (eg: community centres) and that information and advice be made more widely available and accessible.
Other key points included:
- Positively, 68% of respondents told us they hadn’t faced any barriers to accessing an STI/HIV test, although they would like more choice in how they are tested for STIs/HIV and many emphasised the importance of seeing a healthcare professional face-to-face so they could have a full examination and discuss their concerns and questions, rather than having to self-test.
- In line with this, some people told us that a reduction in local sexual health clinics had negatively impacted their sexual health and they wanted more local services.
- A barrier to STI testing was the sporadic availability of test kits, which people said should be more readily available in a multitude of healthcare and community settings.
- 50% of respondents told us they preferred to access free online self-test kits, while 24% said they’d prefer to attend a sexual health clinic.
- Asian respondents and gay and bisexual males were the most likely to report facing barriers to testing.
- Other common barriers included feeling embarrassed or stigmatised, having privacy compromised when attending, difficulty making an appointment and/or travelling long distances to clinics.
A small number of people said they had received information about sexual health in the past year, which indicates that more conversations need to be had about the importance of maintaining good sexual health throughout all stages of life and among different demographic groups.
Response from Hertfordshire County Council:
“I’d like to thank everyone who responded to the survey. The findings from this report will help inform our forthcoming Sexual and Reproductive Health Delivery plan over the next 5 years. I’m pleased most residents are happy with the range of STI services available, especially those online, however, more work is needed to address the embarrassment, stigma, and privacy concerns raised, which nationally are also highlighted as barriers to get tested. In partnership with local stakeholders, collectively we will continue to increase awareness on the importance of STI testing and where to access services, both online and in the community.”
