Young Persons Relationships and Sexual Health

Childrens Social Emotional and Mental Health
Cancer
Substance Use
Parental Support
Alcohol
Oral Health
Domestic Abuse
Poverty
Homelessness
Cultural Sensitivity
Access to Services
Protective Measures
Young Persons Relationships and Sexual Health
Sexual Health
Healthy Lives

introduction Introduction

Everyone has the right to healthy relationships and to be able access support to prevent negative sexual health outcomes. These can include unplanned pregnancy, consequences of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unhealthy relationships.

Young people are supported to have positive sexual outcomes through engaging with services that promote good relationship and sexual health, providing contraception, STI testing and treatment and through relationships and sex education.

Young people (under 25s) are disproportionately affected by poor sexual health outcomes. For example, the highest percentage of chlamydia infections in heterosexuals are seen in young people aged 15-24 as opposed to any other age group. Young people who become teenage parents are more likely to have significantly poor health outcomes associated with poorer mental health or living in poverty by the age of 30.

why is it important to population health Why is it important to Population Health?

A population health approach is important to help reduce health inequalities. Health inequalities are ultimately about differences in the status of people’s health, but the term is also commonly used to refer to differences in the care that people receive and the opportunities that they have to lead healthy lives, both of which can contribute to their health status.

There are groups of young people that are at higher risk of poor sexual health outcomes. Through education and access to support, negative sexual experiences such as sexual harassment, transmission of STIs and HIV are preventable and treatable. However, there is a disparity in ability to access support and education through no fault of an individual.

Often having poor sexual health does not only affect the individual, but also those they have relationships with, their family, their community and their future children.

the derbyshire population approach The Derbyshire Population Health Approach

The Derbyshire Population Health Approach focuses on prevention, population health, evidence-informed practices, causes, and collaboration. It emphasises proactive measures to prevent health issues, tailors interventions to specific populations, incorporates evidence-informed practices, addresses underlying causes, and promotes collaboration for effective action.

When considering the topic of Young People’s Relationships and Sexual Health within The Derbyshire Population Health Approach:

• Prevention Prevention

Preventative strategies include:

Universal education on relationships and sex.

Relationships and sex education became statutory for all schools to provide in 2020. By the end of secondary school pupils should know:

  • how to recognise the characteristics and positive aspects of healthy one-to-one intimate relationships, which include mutual respect, consent, loyalty, trust, shared interests and outlook, sex and friendship.
  • that all aspects of health can be affected by choices they make in sex and relationships, positively or negatively, e.g. physical, emotional, mental, sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing.
  • the facts about reproductive health, including fertility, and the potential impact of lifestyle on fertility for men and women and menopause.
  • that there are a range of strategies for identifying and managing sexual pressure, including understanding peer pressure, resisting pressure and not pressurising others.
  • that they have a choice to delay sex or to enjoy intimacy without sex.
  • the facts about the full range of contraceptive choices, efficacy and options available.
  • the facts around pregnancy including miscarriage.
  • that there are choices in relation to pregnancy (with medically and legally accurate, impartial information on all options, including keeping the baby, adoption, abortion and where to get further help).
  • how the different sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDs, are transmitted, how risk can be reduced through safer sex (including through condom use) and the importance of and facts about testing.
  • about the prevalence of some STIs, the impact they can have on those who contract them and key facts about treatment.
  • how the use of alcohol and drugs can lead to risky sexual behaviour.
  • how to get further advice, including how and where to access confidential sexual and reproductive health advice and treatment.

Promotion of regular STI screening

It is recommended that those who are sexually active test for STIs and HIV annually or on change of a partner. Organisations that provide sexual health services do this confidentially with support to notify partners of those who have tested positive for infection. STI and HIV tests should be offered through a variety of different methods, for example online services, in person clinics and through schools and community organisations.

Providing free contraception

Advice should be accessible for all types of contraception. Contraception should be available for free such as condoms, hormonal pill, implants, coils.  The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises that long acting reversible contraception such as implants and coils (LARC) be included as the preferred contraceptive method, in line with evidence base. This is due to LARCs being non user dependent.1

Providing Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

PrEP is a medication used to reduce the risk of contracting HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus). PrEP should be accessible to anyone that is more at risk of getting HIV such as

  • A HIV-negative male having condomless sex with men, and other people who have sex within these networks
  • A individual who has partner (or ex-partner) with HIV or comes from a country with high rates of HIV
  • An individual who has condomless sex with a partner(s) and do not know their HIV status
  • Trans or non-binary people who are regularly having condomless sex
  • Individuals who exchange sex for money, drugs, shelter or another reason
  • Individuals who are injecting drugs

Reducing the stigma around accessing sexual health support

Sexual health is an important part of being healthy. Promoting sexual health support and services as part of a healthy lifestyle and reducing stigma will encourage young people to engage with services.

• Population Population

There are groups of young people that are at higher risk of poor sexual health outcomes such as:

  • Those experiencing poor mental health
  • Those who are experiencing homelessness
  • Those living in care
  • Those with special education needs and disabilities (SEND)
  • Those not in education, employment or training (NEET)
  • Those who have experienced issues with drugs or alcohol
  • Refugees or Asylum seekers
  • Travellers
  • Ethnic diverse groups
  • Those part of the LGBT+ community

Tailoring education and access to services is important to ensure that the above groups of young people are supported in terms of their sexual health. This includes elements of targeted sexual health promotion support including working with voluntary sector organisations that support these groups to provide services and education in the community as well as ensuring services and education are inclusive of the needs of different groups.

• Evidence Evidence

The topic of sex and relationships is not always discussed between young people and their parents or carers. This could be due to lack of confidence, education or awareness of support. There are lots of different sources that young people may seek to obtain information that they need to have good sexual health outcomes. Some of these sources are less reliable than others with some often portraying false experiences of good sexual health and relationships such as pornography and social media.

There is evidence that shows where young people have received relationships and sex education, they are more likely to seek help and speak out, practise safe sex, have first sex at a later age and for this to be consensual. The Department of Education provides statutory guidance for those delivering Relationship and Sex Education, which set out what education establishments must do in order to support young people to have positive sexual health outcomes.2 3

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are passed on during sex and through other sexual contact. Some have symptoms, where some are symptomless, yet still cause harm. STIs can be treated or managed by those providing sexual health services.

Evidence shows that positive outcomes are enabled through provision of easily accessible youth friendly sexual health services including reduction in unwanted pregnancies, early detection and treatment of infections and prevention of HIV transmission. Services should be offered in a variety of different settings including online, clinical and non clinical settings such as in education and the community to support accessibility for the range of different users. To reduce barriers to accessing services, it is important to emphasise confidentiality of sexual health services and seek outreach opportunities.

• Causes Causes

Good sexual health outcomes for young people are underpinned by evidence including:

  • access to comprehensive, good-quality information about sex and sexuality
  • knowledge about the risks they may face and their vulnerability to adverse consequences of unprotected sexual activity
  • ability to access sexual health care including free condoms and contraception
  • living in an environment that affirms and promotes sexual health
  • self-empowerment and confidence to access services and manage one’s own sexual health

In order for information about sex and sexuality to be good quality, the relationships and sex education young people receive from those supporting them must be effective and relate to practical support. A way of ensuring relationships and sex education meets the needs of young people is to gather pupil voice to inform topics and delivery styles that are most relevant to young people, adopting a co-production model of working.

• Collaboration Collaboration

For effective delivery of local strategies to improve the sexual health outcomes for young people a collaborative partnership approach is required. This is to ensure a whole systems approach is taken. Multiple organisations deliver sexual health services locally and others either provide advice, education, referrals or signposting.


latest derbyshire data Latest Derbyshire Data


Trend Data


Derbyshire Quilt


Prevalence Maps of Derbyshire

The maps below illustrate Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) and Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs) for Derbyshire. LSOAs and MSOAs are geographical divisions used for statistical purposes, allowing for more detailed analysis of local data. In these maps, you can explore various health indicators and data for Derbyshire, providing valuable insights into the area’s health and wellbeing.