Here in the UK, we haven’t got an excellent grip on our teens’ sexual health and wellbeing. Our rates of teenage pregnancy are among the highest in Western Europe, which became a key focus of the Government’s White Paper Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation in 1997. The aim of this policy action plan was to ‘cut rates of teenage parenthood, particularly underage parenthood, toward the European average’ but has anyone managed it in the subsequent 16 years?
According to the latest figures published by the Office for National Statistics, which are based on conceptions in England and Wales during 2011, the rates of teenage pregnancy in Bath and North East Somerset are the lowest in the South West, and much lower than both the national and regional rates. Wellness experts believe this is due to initiatives by the council and NHS partners, which includes an active local preventative strategy.
In Bath and North East Somerset, one in 12 sexually active young people test positive for Chlamydia, which is the most common STI in the UK in those aged 15-25. What the health services seem to understand is that it’s not about judging our kids and the way society has changed; rather, our focus should be on the health and wellbeing of the population. Young people need to know they can get help and advice when they need it, as the issue becomes aggravated when it is not discussed. When chlamydia goes untreated, it can lead to damaging inflammation, and even infertility.
So what has Bath and North East Somerset done to minimise the poor sexual health and wellbeing of young people? One vital focus has been the B&NES Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, which improved access to contraceptive and sexual health services. The district has strived to make sexual health services accessible, confidential, up-to-date and young person friendly, which seems to have worked; the district has the highest level of young person friendly ‘SAFE’ (Sexual Health Advice For Everyone) branded services in the South West. The new CaSH clinic in Midsomer Norton, for example, has ‘SAFE’ branding status and actively encourages young people in the town and the surrounding areas to drop in.
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