Sexual Health

There are many influences on sexual health. These include the choices people make and the communities that they live in. Only when people know the facts can they take responsible and informed decisions to protect against the dangers of sexually transmitted infections.

Many people in Clackmannanshire experience positive relationships and good sexual health. But there is a considerable growing burden of sexual ill-health, and addressing this requires an understanding of the breadth and complexity of this area of work.

Sexual health in Scotland is poor. Sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, are widespread and increasing, while teenage conceptions are amongst the highest in Western Europe. Scotland-wide indicators show that teenagers in the most deprived areas are three times more likely to become pregnant than their counterparts in the most affluent parts of the country. Promoting positive sexual health is thus a key public health challenge.

Strategy

Clackmannanshire participates in a multi-agency Forth Valley steering group that produces a Forth Valley Sexual Health Strategy and oversees the development of sexual health services.

Locally, action is taken forward by the Clackmannanshire Sexual Health Implementation Group (SHIG), members include representatives from the Council, Clackmannanshire Integrated Health Improvement Team (CIHIT), Health Improvement.

Sexual Health Implementation Group (SHIG) Action Plan

The SHIG Action Plan and Background paper are available to view or download from this page. This document links into the Forth Valley Sexual Health Strategy, Single Outcome Agreement, and Joint Health Improvement Plan.

More information

For more information, you can refer to:

World Health Organisation's web page on Sexual Health
Information Services Division (ISD) - Statistics
- Key Clinical Indicators for Sexual Health: Population based indicator report 2009
Health Scotland
- Supporting sex and relationships education for looked after young people: a briefing paper
Useful links for young people
Cervical Cancer and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
TASC Agency
- From disability to capability: sex and relationship learning for children and young people with a learning disability:
  - This study, published as Colin Morrison's EdD thesis, focuses on sex and relationships learning and is concerned with the securing of sexual rights for people with learning disabilities.
  - The study identifies the characteristics of effective sex and relationship learning as well as addressing the broader role that adults can play to enable safe, happy and fulfilling personal relationships for children and young people with learning disabilities.
  - The study also explores what social justice means in the lives of people with a learning disability and how this might be applied to personal and sexual relationships.
Women's Support Project
- Grooming and Sexualisation
LGBT Helpline