The specific consultation of Hospital Vall d"Hebron for adolescents aged 13 to 17 with sexually transmitted infections attended to 41 patients in 2025, with an average age of 16 years. The unit, in operation since 2019 at the Centre de Salut Internacional i Malalties Transmissibles Drassanes Vall d"Hebron, already totals nearly 350 attendances since its commissioning.
The resource was born with a defined care circuit for this age group, between 13 and 17 years old, with the objective of providing a specific response to a segment of patients that requires differentiated follow-up. In 2025, more than half of the adolescents attended ended up with a diagnosis of some ITS.
More than half of the adolescents attended had a positive diagnosis
In 22 of the 41 adolescents visited in 2025, at least one sexually transmitted infection was detected. In some of these cases, more than one STI was diagnosed in the same patient.
The infections registered during that period were 12 cases of chlamydia, six of gonorrhea, two of scabies and two of syphilis. Also, one case of trichomoniasis and another of molluscum contagiosum were detected.
The main reasons for attending the consultation during 2025 were STI screening in asymptomatic people, which motivated 16 visits, and the presence of symptomatology compatible with an infection, with nine cases. There were also consultations due to contact with a person with an STI and due to sexual violence.
First balance of 2026
In the first three months of 2026, the consultation has carried out nine initial visits. Four of them ended with a positive result for STIs, according to this year's initial activity balance.
PrEP from the age of 16
During 2025, pre-exposure prophylaxis, known as PrEP, was initiated in a patient, with good adherence to treatment. This medication helps to prevent HIV infection, but does not prevent the rest of sexually transmitted infections.
PrEP is available for patients from 16 years of age and, in these cases, the use of condoms in sexual relations is also recommended. Since 2025, furthermore, the Drassanes exprés program has been expanded, operational since November 2016 for the adult population and for adolescents from 16 years of age.
The evolution of this specific consultation consolidates a care circuit for adolescents within a particularly sensitive area, with a sustained volume of patients since 2019 and with frequent detection of infections in the first visits.