Targeting sexual health services in primary care: A systematic review of the psychosocial correlates of adverse sexual health outcomes reported in probability surveys of women of reproductive age

Natalie Edelman, Richard de-Visser, C.H. Mercer, Lucy McCabe, Jackie A. Cassell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Women using primary care vary in need for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing and contraception. Psychosocial correlates of these needs may be useful for targeting services. We undertook a systematic review to identify psychosocial correlates of STI acquisition, unplanned pregnancy (UP), abortion and risky sexual behaviours in general population samples of women of reproductive age. METHODS: We searched bibliographic databases for probability surveys of women aged 16-44years in the European Union, USA, Canada, Australia, UK or New Zealand undertaken January 1994-January 2014. RESULTS: Eleven papers were included. Unplanned pregnancy was associated with smoking, depression, being single and sexual debut <16years. Abortion was associated with lack of closeness to parents, leaving home at an early age, and relationship break-up. Multiple partnerships were associated with intensity of marijuana and alcohol use, and smoking. STI diagnosis was associated with relationship break-up and younger partners. Non-use of contraception was associated with smoking, obesity, relationship status, sedentary lifestyles, fatalistic pregnancy attitudes and lower alcohol use. Condom non-use was higher (at first sex) with partners 5+years older and lower (at last sex) in less stable partnerships. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial variables, particularly relationship status and smoking, may help identify women in primary care for STI testing and contraception advice and supply.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)345-356
Number of pages12
JournalPreventive Medicine
Volume81
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Oct 2015

Bibliographical note

© 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Keywords

  • Review
  • Systematic primary health care
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Contraception pregnancy
  • Unplanned psychosocial factors

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