'Most young men think you have to be naked in front of the GP': A qualitative study of male university students' views on barriers to sexual health

Abstract

Background In Australia, 15- to 29-year-olds account for 75% of all sexually transmissible infection (STI) diagnoses. STI rates among young men are rising, with most diagnosed in general practice. Young men less frequently attend general practice than young women, and rarely present with sexual health issues, making it difficult for general practitioners (GPs) to offer opportunistic STI education and screening. Little is known of the barriers preventing male university students accessing general practice for sexual health care, or what would facilitate this. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with young men aged 18-24 years attending university between 2012 and 2014. Intervie..