ArticleBMJ open2019
Help-seeking for genitourinary symptoms: a mixed methods study from Britain's Third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3).
Article in BMJ open, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 18 citations in OpenAlex.
- Remote consultations in sexual and reproductive health services: a systematic review of evidence on effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, experiences, access and equity.Sexually transmitted infections · 2026Pooled it
- A mixed methods systematic literature review of barriers and facilitators to help-seeking among women with stigmatised pelvic health symptoms.BMC women's health · 2024Pooled it
- Sexual functioning is not, but psychological burden is predictive for receiving help in pelvic physical therapy practice: A cross-sectional study.Open research Europe · 2023Article
- Time to healthcare seeking following the onset of symptoms among men and women attending a sexual health clinic in Melbourne, Australia.Frontiers in medicine · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesQuantify non-attendance at sexual health clinics and explore help-seeking strategies for genitourinary symptoms.
designSequential mixed methods using survey data and semistructured interviews.
settingGeneral population in Britain.
participants1403 participants (1182 women) from Britain's Third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3; undertaken 2010-2012), aged 16-44 years who experienced specific genitourinary symptoms (past 4 weeks), of whom 27 (16 women) who reported they had never attended a sexual health clinic also participated in semistructured interviews, conducted May 2014-March 2015. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: From survey data, non-attendance at sexual health clinic (past year) and preferred service for STI care; semistructured interview domains were STI social representations, symptom experiences, help-seeking responses and STI stigma.
resultsMost women (85.9% (95% CI 83.7 to 87.9)) and men (87.6% (95% CI 82.3 to 91.5)) who reported genitourinary symptoms in Natsal-3 had not attended a sexual health clinic in the past year. Around half of these participants cited general practice (GP) as their preferred hypothetical service for STI care (women: 58.5% (95% CI 55.2% to 61.6%); men: 54.3% (95% CI 47.1% to 61.3%)). Semistructured interviews elucidated four main responses to symptoms: not seeking healthcare, seeking information to self-diagnose and self-treat, seeking care at non-specialist services and seeking care at sexual health clinics. Collectively, responses suggested individuals sought to gain control over their symptoms, and they prioritised emotional reassurance over accessing medical expertise. Integrating survey and interview data strengthened the evidence that participants preferred their general practitioner for STI care and extended understanding of help-seeking strategies.
conclusionsHelp-seeking is important to access appropriate healthcare for genitourinary symptoms. Most participants did not attend a sexual health clinic but sought help from other sources. This study supports current service provision options in Britain, facilitating individual autonomy about where to seek help.
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