Forum Brief: Sexual health

The Commons health select committee has said that long term underfunding of the NHS has led to an "appalling" level of sexual health services.

At a time when sexually transmitted diseases are rising throughout Britain, the MPs called for the government to take action to deal with the crisis in the country's sexual health.

Hazel Blears, public health minister, said: "We share the committee's concerns about poor sexual health including rising STI diagnoses and the impact on GUM waiting times. That's why it's important that the government's Sexual Health and HIV Strategy is in place and sets clear goals and standards for improvement.

"We have already rolled out the first phase of the chlamydia screening programme to ten sites and will be doubling the size of the programme later this year with an additional ten sites and further investment. Last year we launched the government's first sexual health campaign since the '80s. The 'Sex Lottery' campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among 18 to 30 year olds, highlighting the importance of safe sex in preventing STIs.

"The national strategy launched in July 2001 is the first ever strategy dedicated to sexual health and HIV. This is a long-term strategy aimed at modernising and improving sexual health services over the next decade.

"We welcome this report and will be studying the recommendations. The government will publish a full response in the near future."

Forum Response: Marie Stopes International

A spokesman for Marie Stopes International told ePolitix.com: "Marie Stopes International endorses the health select committee's call for greater commitment to reducing spiralling rates of sexually transmitted infection (STIs) that are affecting increasing numbers of people in the UK, particularly the young.

"An independent survey carried out in 2002 by NOP Family, on Marie Stopes International's behalf, clearly demonstrated how sex education in schools is failing our young people.

"Over half of 11-15 year olds surveyed, for example, were unaware that using condoms can protect against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The organisation's dedicated teenage sex education website has received over 280,000 unique visitors since its launch 18 months ago, and a recent initiative on the site resulted in over 13,000 requests for condoms from young people within a few short weeks.

"These figures clearly demonstrate young people's desire for clear information and non-judgemental services.

"Marie Stopes International does, however, acknowledge the efforts being made by the present government to tackle teenage sexual health, as the first to take a serious strategic approach to the issues.

"Nevertheless, greater resources, more partnerships with specialist voluntary sector organisations and a commitment to a minimum standard of sex and relationship education as part of the national curriculum are required if we are to see a long term reduction in the numbers of young people affected by STIs and unwanted pregnancies."

Forum Response: CARE

A spokeswoman for CARE said: "One in 10 young people are now infected with chlamydia, which can cause infertility in women. Syphilis rates have jumped by 500 per cent in the last six years, while gonorrhoea infections have doubled.

"More people are also being diagnosed with HIV than ever before. Around 6500 people were told they had the disease last year.

"The rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has reached crisis point. It is not only the physical effects of early sex that should concern us, however, but also the emotional and relational wellbeing of young people."It is important to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies and encourage young people to delay first sex. Current Teenage Pregnancy strategies are usually based on increasing the availability of contraception and the explicitness of sex education. Children as young as twelve are being given advice on oral sex and supplied with condoms without any questions being asked through government funded internet sites. This approach is failing children and young people.

"CARE is concerned about the ever-increasing 'sexualisation' of children, both in sex and relationships education and in youth culture.

"The perspectives of some groups who enter schools to conduct sex education lessons and the activities of such NGOs outside the restraints of schools should also cause concern.

"It is crucial that sex education concentrates on emotional and relationship aspects as well as the biological aspects of sex. Abstinence should be presented as a positive choice."

Forum Response: British National Temperance League

Barbara Briggs, chief executive of BNTL, told ePolitix.com: "As a charity dealing in drug and alcohol education one of our primary concerns is the rise in 'risk taking' behaviour resulting from an over indulgence in alcohol.

"Bagnall and Plant (1991) reported in a group study of 16 to 30 year olds, 82 per cent of respondents reported heavy drinking prior to engaging in casual sexual activity.

"In 1998 a HEA report found the following among young people: one in seven have unsafe sex, one in five later regretted this, one in 10 were unable to remember if they had had sex and 40 per cent agreed that they would be more likely to have casual sex after drinking.

"We have seen a change in attitude to all things in the last 10 years some of which has resulted in the rise in promiscuity which in turn has led to today's situation with the rise in sexual transmitted diseases.

"We would endorse some of the recommendations of the committee especially the enabling of programmes aimed at young people, but we also like to see education on drinking habits especially targeting the current rise in 'binge' drinking among young girls."

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Jean Gemmell, general secretary of PAT, said: "Changes in current legislation about sex education would be necessary before these clinics could be implemented.

"For example, schools are allowed to teach only the biology of sex education without parental permission - anything else requires parents' permission.

"There could also be confidentiality issues. Doctors can maintain medical confidentiality, but teachers can't. There could be conflict of interest between maintaining confidentiality and a teacher's duty of care under the Child Protection Act and other legislation.

"The question remains - would these clinics be part of schools or separate neighbouring buildings run by medical staff?"