Recent experiences with the Telephone helpline service at the central STD clinic, Colombo.

Wsc Dileka,Mpvr Perera,Kyd Perera,Kacr Wijesekara,Hmah Karunaratne

doi:10.4038/joshhm.v5i0.87

Abstract

Introduction: The telephone helplines of the central STD clinic, Colombo provide sexual health information and guidance on STI care and treatment for the general public. However, caller profiles have not been explored or analyzed systematically during the recent past. Objectives: To describe the caller profiles and the content of the calls received to the telephone helpline. Methods: Details on all 215 telephone calls received to helpline during April-July, 2019 were recorded using a data extraction sheet after the verbal consent of the client. Results: Most callers (93%) were males with the median age of 22 years (range 15-65) and well educated (51%). The majority were first-time callers (84%). Reasons for calling included to inquire service delivery points (78%), HIV or HIV testing (62%), HIV symptoms (58%), Pre Exposure Prophylaxis related (11%), STI symptoms (21%) and sexual dysfunctions (12%). Thirty-four (34%) were due to misconceptions related to sexual health and HIV. Most callers (59%) discovered the hotline through internet (n= 126) while almost 10% were linked at a lecture and 6.5% by a peer and the rest as a result of TV programmes or newspaper articles Conclusions: People are using telephone helpline effectively. Therefore, further advertising on helpline through social media and other web sites and expansion of the services to the periphery is recommended. Reasons for less inquiries made by females should be further explored and attended. Timely actions to alleviate misconceptions regarding sexual health and HIV while raising awareness on available services need to be encouraged.

Highlights

The telephone helplines of the central STD clinic, Colombo provide sexual health information and guidance on sexually transmissible infections (STIs) care and treatment for the general public
Still there is a significant proportion who are reluctant to attend clinics due to societal stigmas, fears, misconceptions and misinformation.(2) High risk sexual behaviours, such as early sexual debut, premarital sex, multiple partners and bisexual orientation, are increasingly becoming common among young people,(2) while sex education for the young is limited and a controversial issue in many countries across the world.(4) Further, a study in Sri Lanka, revealed lack of knowledge among young people aged [17-19] years to result in low self-confidence and psychological distress, especially with regard to masturbation practices and menstruation periods.(6) All of which emphasize the need of contemporary approaches to encourage the sexual health care seeking behavior of the society
The fact that the majority of callers are being young adults, highlights the importance of innovative methods of reaching them to address their sexual health related matters while alleviate misconceptions regarding sexual health and HIV. It will be more effective if this helpline can be advertised further through social media and other web sites

Summary

Introduction

The telephone helplines of the central STD clinic, Colombo provide sexual health information and guidance on STI care and treatment for the general public. Unlike many countries in the world, Sri Lanka has a well-established national programme for the control of STI and HIV with its branch clinics island wide. Still there is a significant proportion who are reluctant to attend clinics due to societal stigmas, fears, misconceptions and misinformation.(2) High risk sexual behaviours, such as early sexual debut, premarital sex, multiple partners and bisexual orientation, are increasingly becoming common among young people,(2) while sex education for the young is limited and a controversial issue in many countries across the world.(4) Further, a study in Sri Lanka, revealed lack of knowledge among young people aged [17-19] years to result in low self-confidence and psychological distress, especially with regard to masturbation practices and menstruation periods.(6) All of which emphasize the need of contemporary approaches to encourage the sexual health care seeking behavior of the society

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion