Distance as explanatory factor for sexual health centre utilization: an urban population-based study in the Netherlands.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The central sexual health centre (SHC) in the greater Rotterdam area in the Netherlands helps finding people unaware of their STI/HIV status. We aimed to determine a possible association between SHC utilization and travel distance in this urban and infrastructure-rich area. Insight in area-specific utilization helps adjust outreach policies to enhance STI testing.

Methods

The study population consists of all residents aged 15-45 years in the greater Rotterdam area (2015-17). We linked SHC consultation data from STI tested heterosexual clients to the population registry. The association between SHC utilization and distance was investigated by multilevel modelling, adjusting for sociodemographic and area-specific determinants. The data were also stratified by age (a

SUBMITTER: Twisk DE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8643404 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature