Factors associated with male youth’s utilization of youth clinics –A cross-sectional study in southern Sweden

Abstract: Background: Sweden has a long-standing tradition of youth-friendly services focusing on sexual, reproductive and mental health. Currently, they are mainly targeting and being used by girls and young women. Little is known about what motivates and prevents boys and young men from seeking out and utilising health services, including the youth clinics. This study therefore aimed to investigate factors associated with male youth’s utilisation of youth clinics. Methods: This cross-sectional study used survey data collected in March-April of 2022, including 175 male youths living in Skåne, Sweden. Data analysis was conducted using binary and multivariate logistic regressions, with experience of visiting a youth clinic as the outcome measure. Results: Being or having been sexually active were the strongest predictors of youth clinic experience. Only recent sexual activity remained significant when adjusted for other individual characteristics. Talking to others about one's health, valuing access to mental health services, feeling one has access to sexual health services, and age were marginally correlated to the outcome. Apart from these correlations, no clear patterns were revealed. There were little or no associations between youth clinic experience and perceived service needs, perceived access to services, and knowledge of where to access services. When adjusted for each other, some factors encouraging or discouraging the use of health services could significantly predict the experience of visiting a youth clinic (p<0.001). These included; having previously refrained from seeking out health services; ability to talk to others about one’s health; being sexually active; and having relationship experience. Conclusion: Being sexually active strongly predicts experience of visiting a youth clinic. However, overall few significant associations were revealed. Further research is needed to gain deeper insight into the factors underlying the observed associations, their causal directions, and the lack of associations found.