Most sexually active male teenagers engaging in high risk sexual behaviors continue to receive little counseling about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) during their doctor’s visits, according to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
For the study, researchers from Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore analyzed data from the 1995 National Survey of Adolescent Males and the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth to learn how many young males discussed STIs with their health care provider.
Scientists found 26 percent of those who reported high risk behavior said they received HIV and STI counseling while 21 percent of all other sexually active boys (regardless of risk level) discussed HIV and other STIs with their doctor.
According to Johns Hopkins press materials, the findings showed young males aren’t being screened well for STIs, including HIV, even though the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics urges physicians to make sexual health counseling part of their routine exam.
In addition, researchers said the study underscores the need for doctors to provide STI counseling to young men to minimize risky behaviors.
Lead author Arik Marcell, MD, MPH, a pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist, and his colleagues said if docs used evidence-based, uniform guidelines to decease confusion among providers, it would result in better counseling.
Researchers also said it’s critical to understand what stops providers from counseling and to implement ways to remove these barriers.
Until then, researchers suggest that pediatricians ACT: Ask the patient if he is sexually active, Counsel him about the risk, and Test accordingly.
Read here to learn what STIs your teenage daughters should be screened for too.
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