Anonymity and confidentiality: Rural teenagers' concerns when accessing sexual health services

Qualitative and quantitative data collected from general practitioners and young people in a rural health district reveal that the particular concerns of young people from small communities are more to do with the difficulties of remaining anonymous, which are related to visibility and lack of privacy in small communities.

Abstract

CONTEXT: While confidentiality is recognised as a key aspect of successful health services aimed at young people, most research has looked at the concerns of those in urban centres. This paper reports on qualitative and quantitative data collected from general practitioners (GPs) and young people in a rural health district. OBJECTIVE: To assess the concerns of rural teenagers regarding anonymity and confidentiality when accessing sexual health services. DESIGN: The views of teenagers about using health services for issues of sexual health were sought through an in-school survey of 311 Year 9 and 119 Year 11 students. In addition, 18 single-sex focus groups discussions were conducted in North and East Devon. All GPs in the district were asked to complete a questionnaire. RESULTS: These reveal that the particular concerns of young people from small communities are more to do with the difficulties of remaining anonymous, which are related to visibility and lack of privacy in small communities. These problems were more pervasive among rural young people than those concerns more usually reported about confidential consultations.