Increasing awareness of sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing and addressing stigma may improve STI testing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth: Evidence from the Next Generation Youth Wellbeing Study

Abstract

Objective: To quantify the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing in relation to sociodemographic, behavioural, and health related factors, and patterns in sexual health service (SHS) use and non-use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter Aboriginal) youth. Methods: The analyses included N=198 sexually active 16-24-year-olds from Central Australia, Western Australia, and New South Wales participating in the Next Generation Youth Wellbeing Study. Modified Poisson regression estimated age-sex-adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) for ever testing for STIs. Results: Approximately 55% of the participants ever tested for STIs. Over 44% of the participants ever acce..