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Sex Transm Infect 2002;78:324-331 doi:10.1136/sti.78.5.324
  • Adolescent sexual health

National guideline for the management of suspected sexually transmitted infections in children and young people

  1. A Thomas1,
  2. G Forster2,
  3. A Robinson3,
  4. K Rogstad4,
  5. For The Clinical Effectiveness group (Association of Genitourinary Medicine and the Medical Society for the Study of Venereal Diseases)
  1. 1Department of Community Paediatrics, St James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
  2. 2Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Ambrose King Centre, Royal London Hospital, Turner Street, London E1 1BB, UK
  3. 3The Mortimer Market Centre, Off Capper Street, London WC1E 6AU, UK
  4. 4Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
 Amanda Thomas;
 amanda.thomas{at}leedsth.nhs.uk
  • Accepted 7 August 2002

The Children Act 19891 defines a child as “a person who has not yet reached 18 years of age.” In England, Wales, and Scotland the present age of consent for heterosexual and homosexual sex is 16 years and in Northern Ireland it is 17 years. The proportion of young people who report heterosexual intercourse before the age of 16 years increased in the 1990s compared with the previous decade.2

Although children under 16 years may be involved in consensual sexual activity other issues need to be considered including:

  • Risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI)

  • Past and continuing sexual abuse/assault

  • Undiagnosed mental health problems including self harm, eating disorders, alcohol and substance misuse

  • Risk of or involvement in prostitution/commercial sex work

  • Vulnerability of those living away from home/accommodated by the local authority

  • Vulnerability of those with physical and/or learning disabilities irrespective of age.

In these guidelines, children under the age of 18 years will be referred to as “young people.” The guidelines are primarily directed at the management and care of young people under the age of 16 years but those aged over 16 years may require the same consideration of the factors listed above.

PRINCIPLES OF CARE (C)

All young people accessing the genitourinary medicine (GUM) service should:

  • Expect confidentiality (see section on confidentiality)

  • Have trust and confidence in the service

  • Be consulted and have choices

  • Remain in control of the process, wherever possible

  • Be seen in the most appropriate site for optimal care according to local facilities, resources, demand, and trust regulations.

Issues to be considered include:

  • Separate “young people clinics” in GUM clinics

  • Separate waiting areas for young people in main GUM clinics

  • Skills of staff for the management of young people

  • Laboratory access

  • Flexibility and collaboration between hospital departments, including establishing appropriate guidelines between microbiology, paediatric, GUM and family …

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