[Problems in diagnosing sexually transmitted infections and human immunodeficiency virus in primary health care in Spain]

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the clinical practice of the General Practitioner (GP) in HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the obstacles they face in diagnosing them.

Materials and methods: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed online to members of two Spanish GP Societies.

Results: A total of 1.308 GP took part in the survey, which showed that 39.3% had received training on HIV/STI in the last three years, and 21.2% felt uncomfortable talking about sex with the patient.

Conclusions: We identified important deficiencies in the resources needed for diagnosis of HIV/STI and in the circuits for referral.

Keywords: Atención primaria; Clinical practice; General practitioners; Human immunodeficiency virus; Infecciones de transmisión sexual; Médicos de familia; Primary care; Práctica clínica; Sexually transmitted infections; Virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.