This guideline outlines good practice in sexual history taking. A lot of it is stuff that we will already be aware of, but I have pulled out a few interesting things:
- Avoiding Offence. When asking questions that could cause offence (eg sex of partner), you can use bridging questions to build up trust, or explain why you are asking the question.
- Sites of Exposure. Asking about oral or anal sex will allow you to ensure that the appropriate swabs are done. If you don’t test the right areas, a significant number of infections could be missed.
- HPV vaccination. Remember to check if they have been vaccinated, if born after 1995.
- Prostitute use. You can ask if a patient has ever ‘exchanged money for sex’ as a way of asking about prostitute use.
- Erectile Dysfunction. Men with ED are less likely to use condoms and are at higher risk of STIs.
