International Journal of STD & AIDS > Volume 17, Number 2 > Pp. 121-123

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Original research articles

Client acceptability of the use of computers in a sexual health clinic

R L Tideman, M K Pitts and C K Fairley

School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, 580 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia; Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, Latrobe University, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne 3000, Australia; School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, 580 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia

Computers in sexual health medicine largely remain provider-centred for use in client care, data collection, administration and education. As a formative study for further work we undertook a cross-sectional survey of 679 consecutive new clients attending Melbourne Sexual Health clinic (MSHC) between 9 September 2002 and 15 October 2002 to establish client familiarity and experience with computers and acceptance of computer use in the clinic. A response rate of 616/679 (91%) was achieved.

Important findings were

1. 491/612 (80%) participants reported experience with a personal computer.

2. The majority 488/609 (80%) of clients expected computer technologies to be used in the clinic.

3. The proportion of clients not willing to supply their registration, general health or sexual behaviour details using a computer was 9%, 7% and 21%, respectively.

4. Clients assessed as being at higher risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection were no more reluctant than others to provide their details using a computer-assisted self-interview.

Key Words: CLIENTS • COMPUTER • COMPUTER LITERACY • COMPUTER-ASSISTED SELF-INTERVIEW • SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC

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