Genitourinary Medicine staff knowledge about the risks of specific sexual behaviours in the transmission of HIV

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the consistency of information about HIV sexual transmission provided by genitourinary medicine (GUM) staff to their patients. This staff group's knowledge of specific sexual risk behaviours was obtained using a self-administered anonymous 21-item questionnaire. Results for 106 respondents revealed considerable inconsistency amongst GUM staff's risk ratings of different sexual activities. These inconsistencies in risk ratings were significantly related to profession and gender. The results are discussed in terms of the lack of available consistent information about oral sex as well as less conventional sexual activities. The results support the need for a strategy to ensure the provision of clear and consistent messages about the sexual transmission of HIV. Any sexual health promotion strategy within GUM clinics needs to review and audit the quality of information given by health professionals to patients.