Sexual Health

Sexual Health

The areas covered by sexual health include sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, contraception, health promotion and sex education.

The values, attitudes and expectations that people have are influenced by the culture and social environment in which they live. Cultural influences include families and the home, gender and sexual stereotypes (including discrimination against those who are lesbian, gay or bisexual and the assumption of heterosexuality, ethnicity, faith perspective, social attitudes to disabled people, the media, and peer and social pressures. Together these shape each individual's sexuality and sexual behaviour.

Many of these influences will cause or reinforce social inequalities which will also affect sexual health. There is therefore a challenge to ensure that everyone is able to benefit from opportunities to improve sexual wellbeing. This means that national and local efforts to confront issues such as domestic abuse, parenting skills, drug and alcohol use, equality and diversity should continue

Parents influence their child's sexual values and skills from an early age. Family and home experiences affect young people's development of gender identity and sexuality. Good parent-child communication about sexuality can help delay young people's first sexual experience and limit poor sexual health outcomes. Talking about healthy relationships, including respect, also helps children become more self-confident and make appropriate decisions and choices about their personal life.

Young people say parents are one of their main informants about sex even though most do not openly talk to their parents about these issues. Parents also find it difficult to discuss such matters with their children. Partnership between parents, schools and health services will promote and support a more consistent approach to sex and relationships education and reinforce the key messages.

STIs, including HIV, affect people of all ages in Scotland. Incidence is greatest among those under 25 but older men and women are also at risk, particularly those entering new relationships following the break-up of long term partnerships. These infections are an important source of reproductive ill health and place increasing demands on clinical services but can be prevented through the encouragement of safer sex practices. Many of the interventions aimed at reducing STIs also contribute to reducing unintended pregnancy.

The undernoted websites provide useful information in regard to sexual health issues:

Sandyford Initiative

Sexual Health and Wellbeing Network