P12.11 Reach of sti clinics by high-risk ethnic groups in the netherlands

Background In the Netherlands, ethnic minorities from STI endemic countries are considered to be a high-risk group qualifying for STI clinic care free of charge. It is unknown to what extent they reach STI clinics. Objectives To investigate the difference in STI clinic consultation- and positivity rate between ethnic minority groups and ethnic Dutch, and compare findings between the 4 largest cities. Methods Between 2011 and 2013, all STI clinic consultations in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht of persons aged 15 to 44 years in their place of living were selected from the national STI surveillance database. These were combined with numbers of inhabitants per ethnic group (in the same age range) to calculate consultation rate as a proxy for coverage of the STI clinics in each city. Negative binomial regression (adjusted for age and sex) was used to compare the STI consultation- and positivity rate between ethnic Dutch and ethnic minorities, and between ethnic groups living in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht. Results Ethnic minorities from Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Suriname, Netherlands Antilles/Aruba and Latin America have a higher consultation rate (range RR 1.26–2.21) than ethnic Dutch, whereas ethnic minorities from other European countries, Turkey, North Africa and Asia have a lower consultation rate (range RR 0.29–0.83). All ethnic minority groups have a higher positivity rate than ethnic Dutch (range RR 1.22–1.71). When comparing cities, among all ethnic groups consultation rate is markedly highest in Amsterdam, and lowest in Utrecht (RR Amsterdam vs. Utrecht (range): 4.30–10.71). Positivity rate is more similar between cities. Conclusion There are substantial differences in the coverage of ethnic minorities by metropolitan STI clinics in the Netherlands. Although high positivity rates among ethnic minorities suggests that persons at higher risk reach STI clinics, focusing on ethnic groups with low consultation rates remains important. Disclosure of interest statement No grants were received in the development of this study.