Aim: Our aim was to review utilisation of the Hamilton Sexual Health Clinic
(Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand) with regard to gender differences.
Methods: Notes of those attending during 9 months (1 February 2008–31 October
2008) were reviewed—and their demographic details, source of referral, reasons for
attending, and diagnostic coding data were compared. In addition, Waikato Hospital
laboratory provided Chlamydia trachomatis test results for the study period. Data was
analysed for gender differences.
Results: Overall, more women attended than men. By age bands, more 15–19 year old
women than men attended (23.3% vs 12.5%, p<0.001) but, for all age-bands 20 years
and older, men were at least as likely to attend as women. Further, for those aged 25–
29 years (20.3% vs 17%, p<0.5) and 45 years and older (11.9% vs 7.4%, p<0.001),
more men than women of the same-age band were seen. Men who attended were
more likely to self-refer (58.5% vs 43%, p<0.001) and less likely to be asymptomatic
(30.3% vs 38.4%, p<0.001).
Conclusions: Our data suggest men aged 20 years and older are at least, if not more,
likely than women to attend a sexual health clinic for sexual health concerns.
However, there appears to be under-utilisation by younger men. To improve sexual
health for men and women, help-seeking must be timely and effective. We need to
better understand and address sexual healthcare barriers for young men.
