Sexual Health of Adolescents Admitted to A Psychiatric Unit. (1st June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zanten, S Van; Noel, A; Gresham, L; Boafo, A; Norris, M; Robinson, A; Turner, D; Harrison, M; Chan, J
• Is Part Of: Paediatrics & Child Health. Volume 21(2016)Supplement 5
• Page Start: e60a
• Page End: e60a
• Publication Date: 2016-06-01
• Subjects: Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1093/pch/21.supp5.e60a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1205-7088

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Research suggests an association between certain psychiatric conditions and high-risk adolescent sexual activity. In fact, pregnancy is three times more likely in adolescent girls with major mental health disorders in comparison to those without mental illness. Given a proportion of adolescents with mental health disorders will require admission to the hospital for acute psychiatric concerns, this could serve as a useful time point to screen for risky sexual behaviour in high-risk youth. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to review the history screening practices at admission and throughout an inpatient stay for adolescents on an inpatient psychiatry unit and to review any resulting referrals or treatment relating to sexual health. DESIGN/METHODS: A chart review was conducted which included one hundred randomly selected adolescent patients admitted to an inpa-tient psychiatry unit over a 12 month period (January 2013-December 2013). Measures extracted from charts included demographic information, reason for admission, psychiatric diagnoses, documented sexual health related data and any investigations, co-morbidities, treatment and/or follow up booked related to sexual health. Ethics approval was obtained prior to study onset. RESULTS: The majority of patients were female (79%) and the mean age of study subjects was 15.24 (SD=1.30). The majority of patients admitted received a discharge diagnosis of a major depressive disorder (57%) and the mean length of stay was 11.14 days (SD=7.75). Of the patients admitted, 85% did not appear to have sexual health questions asked on admission and 61% did not have any documented sexual health questions asked throughout their inpatient admission. 17% of patients had sexual activity information documented and very few patients had any STI screening or pregnancy testing (9 patients and 14 patients, respectively). CONCLUSION: Adolescents with major mental health disorders may be at increased risk for risky sexual behaviours. We found that sexual health practices were only addressed in a minority of patients during their inpatient psychiatric admission. This interaction with the health care system represents an underutilized opportunity to provide counselling and anticipatory guidance to adolescents regarding their sexual health.