Menu
27/07/2001
Government launches sexual health strategy
The much-awaited National Strategy for Sexual Health has been unveiled by the government and contains a key strategy to test much more widely for sexually transmitted infections.
In an effort to target various high-risk groups the Government have endorsed a major multi-media public education campaign offsetting the high cost against the potential savings in terms of health.
Its launch on Friday 27 July coincided with the publication of figures showing a big rise in cases of key STIs such as syphilis and HIV. The figures, from the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS), show gonorrhoea is at its highest for over a decade.
The government's strategy will include a targeted screening programme for chlamydia - a sexually transmitted disease that can leave women infertile - and more routine testing for HIV/Aids.
For four years the Department of Health has wrestled with how to deal with the problem of sexually transmitted diseases soaring, as it seems the safe sex message of the 1980s is one the wane - especially among young people.
Professor Michael Adler, an STI and HIV expert who helped develop the strategy, said: "We have to be honest and admit that the rising trends of STIs and HIV, associated with the fact that the safer sex messages of the 1980s are no longer being adhered to, mean that we have a major public health problem that we have to face up to."
Dr Gwenda Hughes, of the PHLS, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the increase in the number of sexually transmitted infections was particularly high among teenage women.
"The most likely reason is that more people are practising unsafe sex," said Ms Hughes.
Of the 6,223 new cases of gonorrhoea among women, 40 per cent were in the 16-19 age group. Genital warts, caused by the human papillomavirus, are the most common STI, with 64,000 cases in 2000.
Among the government's plans are: extension of screening for chlamydia and HIV; launch of a major television and newspaper advertising campaign warning of the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies; reducing new HIV infections by a quarter in six years. (AMcE)
In an effort to target various high-risk groups the Government have endorsed a major multi-media public education campaign offsetting the high cost against the potential savings in terms of health.
Its launch on Friday 27 July coincided with the publication of figures showing a big rise in cases of key STIs such as syphilis and HIV. The figures, from the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS), show gonorrhoea is at its highest for over a decade.
The government's strategy will include a targeted screening programme for chlamydia - a sexually transmitted disease that can leave women infertile - and more routine testing for HIV/Aids.
For four years the Department of Health has wrestled with how to deal with the problem of sexually transmitted diseases soaring, as it seems the safe sex message of the 1980s is one the wane - especially among young people.
Professor Michael Adler, an STI and HIV expert who helped develop the strategy, said: "We have to be honest and admit that the rising trends of STIs and HIV, associated with the fact that the safer sex messages of the 1980s are no longer being adhered to, mean that we have a major public health problem that we have to face up to."
Dr Gwenda Hughes, of the PHLS, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the increase in the number of sexually transmitted infections was particularly high among teenage women.
"The most likely reason is that more people are practising unsafe sex," said Ms Hughes.
Of the 6,223 new cases of gonorrhoea among women, 40 per cent were in the 16-19 age group. Genital warts, caused by the human papillomavirus, are the most common STI, with 64,000 cases in 2000.
Among the government's plans are: extension of screening for chlamydia and HIV; launch of a major television and newspaper advertising campaign warning of the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies; reducing new HIV infections by a quarter in six years. (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 February 2008
Shadow Of AIDS Cast Over Ireland
A massive 300% increase in the number of AIDS cases diagnosed in Northern Ireland each year over the past decade has been revealed - and levels in the Irish Republic are rising too. Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said population mobillity was responsible for the huge rise.
Shadow Of AIDS Cast Over Ireland
A massive 300% increase in the number of AIDS cases diagnosed in Northern Ireland each year over the past decade has been revealed - and levels in the Irish Republic are rising too. Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said population mobillity was responsible for the huge rise.
27 July 2004
BMA warns of sex health 'crisis' as infection rates rise
The British Medical Association (BMA) has claimed that Britain's sexual health is now at crisis point after official figures revealed that diagnoses of infections had risen by 4%.
BMA warns of sex health 'crisis' as infection rates rise
The British Medical Association (BMA) has claimed that Britain's sexual health is now at crisis point after official figures revealed that diagnoses of infections had risen by 4%.
29 November 2012
NI HIV Numbers Rise 10%
The number of people living with HIV in Northern Ireland has risen by 10%. A report by the Public Health Agency (PHA) found 522 are living with the infection in Northern Ireland, an increase of 10% since 2010. The number of newly-diagnosed people with HIV rose by 3%, from 80 in 2010 to 82 in 2011.
NI HIV Numbers Rise 10%
The number of people living with HIV in Northern Ireland has risen by 10%. A report by the Public Health Agency (PHA) found 522 are living with the infection in Northern Ireland, an increase of 10% since 2010. The number of newly-diagnosed people with HIV rose by 3%, from 80 in 2010 to 82 in 2011.
24 November 2023
81-Year-Old Bangor Man Jailed For Historic Sexual Offences
An 81-year-old man has been jailed for three years for a number of historic sexual offences. David Parkinson, from Bangor, Co Down, was sentenced at Dungannon Crown Court for 12 offences including gross indecency, indecent assault and rape. The offences were committed between 1976 and 1983.
81-Year-Old Bangor Man Jailed For Historic Sexual Offences
An 81-year-old man has been jailed for three years for a number of historic sexual offences. David Parkinson, from Bangor, Co Down, was sentenced at Dungannon Crown Court for 12 offences including gross indecency, indecent assault and rape. The offences were committed between 1976 and 1983.
28 September 2023
New Anonymity Laws For Sexual Offences Cases Come Into Effect
A number of new laws to to safeguard the privacy and anonymity of the victims and suspects in sexual offence cases have come into effect today, 28 September. Announced by the Department of Justice, the new laws implement recommendations made by Sir John Gillen in his Review into the law and procedures in serious sexual offences.
New Anonymity Laws For Sexual Offences Cases Come Into Effect
A number of new laws to to safeguard the privacy and anonymity of the victims and suspects in sexual offence cases have come into effect today, 28 September. Announced by the Department of Justice, the new laws implement recommendations made by Sir John Gillen in his Review into the law and procedures in serious sexual offences.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
