Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Young adults are at significant risk for sexually transmissible and blood-borne infections (STBBI) and may not perceive their need to seek for STBBI testing services or may face barriers to access those services. This study aims to describe key barriers to STBBI testing specific to sex among young adults. Results come from PIXEL, a cross-sectional and descriptive study targeting 17-25 years old. It combines observations from self-administered questionnaires and biological samples. Between 2013 and 2014, participants were recruited according to a stratified multistage sample plan based on 3 geographical entities (Montreal, Quebec and periphery regions) and a variety of school settings (ex. vocational schools, colleges, universities). Using Levesque & al. (2013) Access to health care framework, barriers to STBBI testing were explored. In the subgroup of 17-20 years old, 781 sexually active women and 508 sexually active men answered PIXEL questionnaire. Proportion of those participants who reported having sought for STBBI testing in the past 12 months was significantly lower among men than women. Among those participants, the most frequent barriers related to their ability to seek and reach for STBBI testing services were: "Not having enough time", "Being scared of the results", "Not knowing where to go" "Having difficulties to get an appointment", "Being afraid people would find out" and "Feeling uncomfortable having to talk with a nurse/doctor about sexuality" Results illustrate certain disparities between 17-20 years old men and women access to STBBI testing services. These findings provide guidance for prevention programs.