The features of patients attending walk-in compared with booked clinics for sexually transmitted infections

Abstract

Few data are available on the comparison of access of patients at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to different models of genitourinary (GU) medicine services. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics and STIs results of patients attending walk-in clinics with those of patients attending booked-in clinics in a department of GU medicine. The study was carried out at the Department of GUM at Walsall Manor Hospital. This was a prospective study on consecutive new patients attending first come first served walk-in and booked clinics between 1 January and 1 April 2006. Patients' demography, sexual behaviour and results of screening for STIs were recorded. During the study period, 346 and 234 patients attended walk-in and booked clinics, respectively. Default rate for booked clinics was 27%. Significantly higher proportions of patients attending walk-in clinics were screened for an STI. All patients with HIV (n = 2) or with trichomonal (n = 4) infections attended walk-in clinics. In regression analysis, patients with genitourinary symptoms were more likely to attend walk-in clinics (odds ratio [OR]: 2.371; [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.545–3.639; P = 0.0005). There was no difference between the prevalence of STIs among patients attending either service model. In conclusion, there was no significant difference between the proportion of patients with or at-risk of STIs who attended booked and walk-in clinics.