UK National Guideline on the Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Related Conditions in Children and Young People (2009)

Abstract

This guideline is appropriate for use in genitourinary (GU) medicine/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) clinics, and by other National Health Service (NHS) or other services providing sexual health advice, management or treatment to young people, e.g. sexual health clinics, young person’s clinics, contraceptive clinics, gynaecology/antenatal services, termination services, Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), paediatric services and general practice in the UK. The principles apply wherever young people are seen for sexual health care or where there are concerns about child sexual abuse (CSA) or where a STI has been detected. It includes recommendations on the assessment, examination, diagnostic tests, treatment regimens and prophylaxis for the effective management of children and young persons under 16 at risk of, or who have, an STI. It offers guidance on consent and confidentiality on children and young people presenting to health-care professionals working in sexual health services. It is also applicable to young people aged 16–18 who have learning difficulties or who are ‘vulnerable’. Some parts of the guidelines are relevant to all those providing sexual health services, but other parts are only relevant to Level 3 service providers. Prevention of STIs through health education and one-to-one interventions as recommended by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is an integral part of sexual health care of young people but is outside the scope of the guidelines. Stakeholder involvement, rigour of development, levels of evidence and grading of recommendations are available online only in the full version of this guideline at http://ijsa.rsmjournals.com/cgi/content/full/21/4/229/DC1 This guideline is laid out in specific sections: Part 1: Introduction and discussion of issues concerning consent, confidentiality, child protection and basic principles of care. Part 2: The diagnosis and management of specific STIs and related conditions in the under 16s. Correspondence to: K Rogstad