‘Sexual Health is an important part of physical and mental health, as well as emotional and social wellbeing. Sexual health is not just about the absence of disease or dysfunction of sexual or reproductive function, but also embraces the capacity to enjoy relationships and express sexuality without feelings of guilt or shame; to have pleasurable and safe sexual experiences; to control fertility and to avoid the risk of unintended pregnancy’.

Source: DHSSPS Sexual Health Draft Strategy

Sexual health in Northern Ireland is generally regarded as poor, and the UK has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Western Europe (FPA, 2004). We recognise that many factors have a negative impact on our sexual health, including poverty, unemployment, poor education, poor living and working environments and social exclusion. This in turn may mean that parents do not have the knowledge, information or confidence to discuss sexual health with young people.

Recent research by the Family Planning Association (fpa) and the University of Ulster found that young people who were less able to talk to their parents about personal or sexual matters were less likely to use contraception when they first had sex.

Source: ‘Towards Better Sexual Health: a survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles of young people in Northern Ireland’, Schubotz, D., Simpson, A., Rolston, B. fpaNI in partnership with University of Ulster. 2002