Sexual health is...
`A state of physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing related to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and
fulfilled` (WHO 2002).
Sexual health is an issue of growing concern in the United Kingdom with increasing numbers of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Awareness of these infections and their impact on health and well-being are important for women of childbearing age and their babies. The UK government has clear health policies to try to reduce the numbers of people affected by sexually transmitted infections. These policies include measures that aim to improve the sexual health services currently available and access to the specialist care and support that they offer.
To view the full text on this topic, you can either purchase the individual topic PDF or sign-up to a Gold membership. Gold members have unrestricted access to all 25 information topics.
Additional information and resources
AVERT
4 Brighton Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 5BA
Email: info@avert.org
British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH)
1 Wimpole Street, London W1G 0AE
Tel: 020 7290 2968
Fax: 020 7290 2989
Brook
421 Highgate Studios, 53-79 Highgate Road, London NW5 1TL
Tel: 020 7284 6040
Fax: 020 7284 6050
General email: admin@brookcentres.org.uk
BUPA
Tel: 0800 600 500
Condoms.co.uk
fpa
50 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8QU (UK office)
Tel: 020 7608 5240
Fax: 0845 123 2349
Helpline: 0845 122 8690
Health Protection Agency Central Office
7th Floor, Holborn Gate, 330 High Holborn, London WC1V 7PP
Tel: 020 7759 2700 / 2701
Fax: 020 7759 2733
Email: webteam@hpa.org.uk
NHS Direct
Tel: 0845 4647
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
27 Sussex Place, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RG
Tel: 020 7772 6200
Fax: 020 7723 0575
Terrence Higgins Trust
314-320 Gray`s Inn Road, London,WC1X 8DP
Tel: 020 7812 1600
Fax: 020 7812 1601
Email: info@tht.org.uk
Contributors include:
Mr. Peter Young, MB; ChB; MRCOG;
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Prof. Moira Plant, RN; RMN; PhD;
Professor of Alcohol Studies
Anne Viccars, MA; BSc (Hons); PGDipEd; RM; RN;
Senior Lecturer in Midwifery
Dr. AP Madden, MA; BM; BCh; FRCA;
Consultant Anaesthetist
Dr. Julie Dallison, MSc; DPhil
Dr. Jenny Ingram, PhD; BSc (Hons)
Dr. Mary Stewart, PhD; RN; RM; ADM; BSc (Hons);
MSc; PGDipHE
Prof. Christine MacArthur, PhD;
Professor of Maternal and Child Epidemiology
Dr. Sally Marchant, PhD; RN; RM; ADM; DipEd
Prof. JG Thornton, MD; FRCOG;
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Rona McCandlish, RM; RMN; RN; MSc (Epid);
Sarah Beake, MSc; RM; RN; Research Midwife
Prof. Alison Macfarlane, BA; Dip Stat; C Stat; FFPH;
Professor of Perinatal Health
April Bolding, DPT; Childbirth Educator; Doula, USA
Dr. Helen Churchill, PhD; BA (Hons); Senior Lecturer
Dr. Louise Howard, PhD; MSc; MRCP; MRC Psych;
Senior Lecturer in Women's Mental Health
Sharon Hodgkiss, RN; RM; DipHE; BSc (Hons); MPH;
West Midlands Regional NSC Antenatal & Child Health
Screening Coordinator
Vicky Carne, MSc; BA (Hons); ADM; RM; RN;
Head of Midwifery, MIDIRS
Glenda Augustine, MPH; BSc (Hons); RM; DipHV, RGN
Debra Kroll, MSc; PGCEA; ADM; RM; RN;
Midwifery Lecturer in Practice
Michelle Lynn, BEd (Hons); ADM; RM; RN;
Midwifery Advisor, Nursing and Midwifery Council
Chrissie Hammonds, MSc; RM; RN;
Midwife Ultrasonographer
Sara Wickham, MA; BA (Hons); RM; PGCE (A);
Midwife & Author
Dr. Sandy Oliver, PhD; BA; Reader in Public Policy
Sally Cottrell, RM; BSc; MSc; MICG; NNEB; Consultant
Midwife Public Health, Women & Family
Dr. Gillian Flett, FRCOG; FFSRH; MIPM; Consultant in
Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinical Lead, NHS Grampian
Amanda Mansfield, BSc (Hons); MSc; RM;
Consultant Midwife
Dr. Joyshri Sarangi, MBBS (Lond.); MBA; MRCP (UK);
MRCGP; FFPH; Consultant in Communicable Disease Control
