Universal principles for sexual history taking

When taking a respectful and inclusive sexual health history, it is essential to consider the following aspects to ensure the client feels reassured that their privacy and confidentiality are protected. A skilled and experienced clinician will adopt an approach that sympathetically encourages their clients to share important details of their sexual activity to identify the appropriate testing, treatment, management, and follow-up, including contact tracing.  

• Maintain privacy and confidentiality.  
• Consider time available to conduct a sexual history and prioritise questions accordingly.  
• Ensure cultural appropriateness.  
• When English is a second language:  
  • Using an interpreter and ensuring an interpreter is used.   
  • Consider language and dialects.  
• Be conscious of assumptions relating to bodies and sexual activity.  
• Normalise sexual history taking in general consults. 
• Utilise inclusive and respectful language.  
• Ensure clients are connected to community support services upon diagnosis of a blood-borne virus and where otherwise appropriate.   
• Utilise clinical tools to support an evidence-based approach. Refer to ASHM resources.  
• Support clients with contact tracing.  

Refer to Australian STI Guidelines – Sexual History for further information and guidance.