Lets Talk about Sex-ual Health!

In the recent White Paper "Healthy Lives, Healthy People" the Government highlighted the need for children’s health and well-being to be put high on the public health agenda.  It stated that teenagers and young people are among the biggest lifestyle risk-takers and as a consequence the White Paper flagged up that the rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) such as Chlamydia have continued to rise since the 1990's with 15-24 year olds being the most affected group.

Facts for Thought:

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) compiled a report in 2008 called "Sexually Transmitted Infections and Young People in the United Kingdom".  It found that young people account for nearly half of all the STIs diagnosed in the UK despite representing only 12% of the population.  The statistics showed that they account for 65% of all Chlamydia, 50% of genital warts and 50% of gonorrhoea infections diagnosed in genitourinary medicine clinics across the UK in 2007.
The most common STI is genital Chlamydia with 79,557 diagnoses made in 2007 (1,102 per 100,000 population aged 16-24), a rise of 7% since 2006.  High rates were also reported for genital warts (682 per 100,000), a rise of 8% since 2006.  In addition in 2007, 702 young people were diagnosed with HIV, representing 11% of all new HIV diagnoses.

Although increases in STIs may reflect greater ascertainment of cases through rises in testing and improved diagnostic methods, it also indicates increased unsafe sexual behaviour among young people.

The NusringTime.Net published an article at the end of last year, explaining that the worrying rises in STIs is the result of a lack of knowledge and misconceptions about sexual infection and reproductive health.  The study "The Face Of Global Sex 2010: They won’t know unless we tell them" found a high level of ignorance about STIs across Europe.  
The Study was the Fifth in the Durex Network's research series and involved more than 15,000 people aged between 15 to 20 in 15 European countries.  As well as the UK, some of the countries included Belgium, France, Italy, Slovenia and Turkey.  Britons, it was found were worryingly relaxed about their sexual health, with almost eight out of ten young Britons (79.8%) believing they are at little or no risk of contracting STIs.

It is clear, that although efforts have been made to educate young people about the negative effects of having unsafe sex, the message is still not be absorbed and policy makers, schools, local governments still have a huge part to play in reaching out to all young adults.

The 2008 report published by the HPA produced some recommendations including making access easy for young people to sexual health services that can provide screening and treatment of STIs as well as delivering high quality personal, relationship and sexual health education.  

What We Can Do
The RSPH are offering a programme on an "Introduction to Sexual Health and Young People" which is being held on the 10th March in London.  The one day event is designed to give participants the confidence to support the sexual health needs of young people and techniques for incorporating discussion about sex and relationships into their everyday working practice.  The course is for anyone in the voluntary organisation, education or the health and social care sector, with particular responsibility for young people.
For further Information please contact Nicolette Smith or on 020 3177 1625