Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea are largely symptomless\r\ndiseases which, left untreated, can result in serious complications including infertility. Fertility problems currently\r\naffect approximately one in seven couples in the UK and there is increasing demand for couples seeking\r\nreproductive technologies. Young people are at greatest risk of contracting STIs, therefore this study aimed to\r\nidentify young peopleââ?¬â?¢s knowledge and beliefs about the link between untreated STIs and infertility.\r\nMethods: Focus groups were conducted with participants aged 16ââ?¬â??24 years old inclusive in college or university\r\nsettings in the SE of England. Groups were quota sampled on the basis of age and gender. A topic guide was used.\r\nThe data were analysed using a framework analysis approach.\r\nResults: Ten single-sex focus groups were conducted with sixty participants: six groups of college students and\r\nfour groups of university students. Participants were generally aware of the link between STIs and potential\r\ninfertility and considered the discussion of this subject very relevant at their age. Knowledge about how and why\r\nSTIs potentially lead to fertility complications was poor. The issues of blame relating to infertility following an STI\r\nemerged, although most participants did not think that access to free reproductive technologies after an untreated\r\nSTI should be limited.\r\nConclusions: Young people would benefit from more education in order to improve their understanding of the\r\nlong-term consequences of untreated STIs, such as infertility. Participants in our sample felt these were extremely\r\nrelevant and important issues for them to understand alongside current education about STIs.
Loading....