SEXUAL HEALTH WEEK
What is Sexual Health Week?
- FPA’s Sexual Health Week aims to raise awareness of sexual health issues and it focuses on a different issue each year.
For example in 2009 FPA’s Sexual Health Week focused on sex and alcohol, in 2010 it focused on sexual health for the over-50s and in 2011 it was The Facts of Life, how and when to talk to your children about puberty, relationships and sex. In 2012 FPA and Brook are working together on ‘XES We can’t go backwards’ campaign -because across the UK there are areas where people aren’t able to access contraception, people are not offered the full range of contraceptive choices and sexual health and contraception services are closing or operating under reduced opening times.
- One in seven young people admits to having unsafe sex after drinking alcohol.
- Research has shown an association between drug and alcohol use and unsafe sex. 20% of young men and 13% of young women aged 15-19 cited alcohol as the main reason for first intercourse. The younger the woman the more likely it is that alcohol was involved.
- Young people are twice as likely not to use contraception if alcohol is cited as the main reason for sex according to a survey for Channel 4 and young men and women are more likely to regret having sex where alcohol is a factor.
Why is it important?
- The
- In 2005 there were 2504 under 18 conceptions and 455 under 16 conceptions in
- Nearly a third of men and a quarter of women ages 16-19 had heterosexual intercourse before they were 16.
- In 2006 there were 376,508 new sexually transmitted infections diagnosed in the
- Genital chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection seen at GUM clinics in the
- Consequently people of all ages need to be able to access sexual health services wherever they live.
What can you do?
- Find out the facts about sex, so you can take responsible and informed decisions.
- Delay having sex until you’re ready, but be safe when you are active.
- Always use a condom.
- Respect yourself and your partner(s) and take responsibility for your own actions and your own sexual health.
Where can I get information and advice?
You can get this from your GP or local family planning clinic or from the following:
www.fpa.org.uk fpa helpline 0845 122 8690
(Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm)
www.brook.org.uk 0800 0185 023
(testing for sexually transmitted infections)
Sexual Health Info Line 0800 567 123
www.ruthinking.co.uk Sexwise 0800 28 29 30
www.bpas.org 0845 730 40 30
www.mariestopes.org.uk 0845 300 8090
Contact Clinic – based at Info 01978 358900
(Mon/Wed/Fri 3-5.30pm
[2 North
