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PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe whether adolescent and young adult patients truthfully disclose sexual activity to providers during a sexual history and explore associations between disclosure and receipt of recommended services. METHODS: Data from the 2018 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior were used to describe self-reported disclsoure of sexually active 14- to 24-year-olds who had a health care visit in the previous year where a sexual history was taken (n = 196). We examined bivariate associations between disclosure and age, race/ethnicity, sex, sexual identity, and receipt of sexual health services. RESULTS: Most (88%) respondents reported telling their provider the truth about sexual activity. A higher proportion of the younger adolescents (14- to 17-year-olds) did not disclose compared with the 18- to 24-year-old respondents (25.4% vs 3.9%; p < .001). A higher proportion of patients who disclosed reported having a sexually transmitted disease test (69.6% vs 26.7%; p < .001); being offered a sexually transmitted disease test (44.3% vs 4.5%; p < .001); and being asked by providers about number of partners (54.3% vs 15.4%; p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Most young patients disclose their sexual history to their provider, but younger patients might be less likely to do so. Positive patient-provider relationships may encourage disclosure of sexual activity and support receipt of indicated sexual and reproductive health services.

Purpose Many young people are not aware of their rights to confidential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care. Given that online health information seeking is common among adolescents, we examined how health education Web content about SRH for young people addresses confidentiality. Methods In Spring 2017, we conducted Google keyword searches (e.g., “teens” and “sex education”) to identify health promotion Web sites operated by public health/medical organizations in the United States and providing original content about SRH for adolescents/young adults. Thirty-two Web sites met inclusion criteria. We uploaded Web site PDFs to qualitative analysis software to identify confidentiality-related content and conduct thematic analysis of the 29 Web sites with confidentiality content. Results Sexually transmitted infection testing and contraception were the SRH services most commonly described as confidential. Clear and comprehensive definitions of confidentiality were lacking; Web sites typically described confidentiality in relation to legal rights to receive care without parental consent or notification. Few mentioned the importance of time alone with a medical provider. Only half of the Web sites described potential inadvertent breaches of confidentiality associated with billing and even fewer described other restrictions to confidentiality practices (e.g., mandatory reporting laws). Although many Web sites recommended that adolescents verify confidentiality, guidance for doing so was not routinely provided. Information about confidentiality often encouraged adolescents to communicate with parents. Conclusions There is a need to provide comprehensive information, assurances, and resources about confidentiality practices while also addressing limitations to confidentiality in a way that does not create an undue burden on adolescents or reinforce and exacerbate confidentiality concerns.

The quadrivalent human papillomavirus virus vaccine was recently licensed for use in males in the United States. This study reviews available published literature on acceptability among parents, health care providers, and young males. Among 23 published articles, half were conducted in the United States. The majority (87%) used quantitative survey methodology, and 13% used more explorative qualitative techniques. Convenience samples were used in most cases (74%) and 26% relied on nationally representative samples. Acceptability of a human papillomavirus virus (HPV) vaccine that protects against cervical cancer and genital warts was high in studies conducted among male college students (74%-78%) but lower in a community sample of males (33%). Among mothers of sons, support of HPV vaccination varied widely from 12% to 100%, depending on the mother's ethnicity and type of vaccine, but was generally high for a vaccine that would protect against both genital warts and cervical cancer. Health providers' intention to recommend HPV vaccine to male patients varied by patient age but was high (82%-92%) for older adolescent patients. A preference to vaccinate females over males was reported in a majority of studies among parents and health care providers. Messages about cervical cancer prevention for female partners did not resonate among adult males or parents. Future acceptability studies might incorporate more recent data on HPV-related disease, HPV vaccines, and cost-effectiveness data to provide more current information on vaccine acceptability.

Purpose We assessed human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of adolescent girls living in communities with elevated cervical cancer rates. Methods During July to October 2007, we conducted interviews with a probability sample of parents (or guardians) of 10- to 18-year-old girls in five North Carolina counties with cervical cancer rates substantially higher than the national average. Estimates are weighted. Results We interviewed 889 (73%) of 1220 eligible parents; 38% were black. Overall, 10.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.7%–13.5%) of daughters had received at least 1 dose of HPV vaccine. Only 6.4% of 10- to 12-year-olds had initiated vaccination, versus 17.5% of 16- to 18-year-olds (odds ratio [OR] 3.1, 95% CI 1.4–6.9). Older age of daughters and doctor's recommendation were the only factors independently associated with vaccine initiation. Main reasons reported for not initiating HPV vaccine were: needing more information (22%) or never having heard of the vaccine (14%), believing daughter is too young (16%) or not yet sexually active (13%), and not having gone to the doctor yet (13%). Only 0.5% of parents cited concern about HPV vaccine making a teenage girl more likely to have sex as a main reason for not vaccinating. Of 780 parents with unvaccinated daughters, 62% reported their daughters “probably” or “definitely” will, and 10% reported their daughters “definitely won't” get HPV vaccine in the next year. Conclusions Approximately 1 year after its introduction, HPV vaccine had been initiated by only 10% of adolescent girls in an area with elevated cervical cancer rates; however, most parents intended for their daughters to be vaccinated. Additional efforts are needed to ensure that parents' intentions to vaccinate are realized.