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|
| Global Background | |
| Appendix One | |
| Appendix Two | |
| Appendix Three | |
| Appendix Four | |
| Site Map | |
| What are we doing? | Why are we doing it? |
Appendix
Four
The Bigger Picture
UK
Studies suggest there has been an increase in risky sexual behaviour, and that there is still ignorance about the possible consequences. Between a third and a half of teenagers do not use contraception at first intercourse(*5).
Over a quarter of 14-15 year olds think that the contraceptive pill protects against infection (*6).
In 1999 most people questioned in a national study did not know what Chlamydia was (*7).
The growing number of STIs is an indication of the level of unsafe sex and the potential for HIV transmission – especially among some higher risk groups. The number of HIV infections diagnosed in heterosexuals has risen.
There is continuing transmission among gay men.
Hepatitis:
There remains a low but steady rate of (HIV) infection in injecting drug
misusers.(*1)
One third of injecting drug users (England and Wales) attending specialist
agencies had antibodies to hepatitis C virus. One in 12 injecting drug
users who began injecting in the past three years was anti HCV positive,
indicating ongoing transmission. (*9)
Alcohol consumption will increase the rate of progression of cirrhosis from whatever cause.(*12)
HIV:
The proportion of HIV-infected heterosexuals with an acute STI who had
their HIV infection diagnosed after attending the GUM clinic has increased
steadily since 1995. (*9)
In 1999 there were nearly 174,000 abortions performed in England and Wales. Abortion rates are highest for women in their twenties. (*1)
The prevalence of HIV infection in pregnant women continues to rise. (*9)
Conclusion:
Unsafe sexual behaviour is increasing.
(*9)
References:
*1 – Dept of Health (DOH) National Strategy for sexual health and
HIV 2001.
*2 – Trends in sexually transmitted infections in the UK – 1990-1999.
Dec 2000 ADBN 0900 11 44 49 5
*3 – Stokes T, Screening for Chlamydia in general practice: Literature
review and summary of the evidence: J of public Health Medicine 1997 19(2),
227-232
*4 – CDSC ‘Increased transmission of syphilis in Brighton and
Greater Manchester among men who have sex with men’: Communicable
Disease Report Weekly 27 Oct 2000:Vol 10(43) 383-6
*5 – Wellings K, Field J, Johnson AM, Wadsworth J. Sexual behaviour
in Britain, The National Study of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles, Penguin
1994.
*6 – Health Education Authority, Young People and Health, HEA 1999.
*7 – Dawe F, Meltzer M. Contraception and Sexual Health 1999: A report
on using the ONS Omnibus survey produced on behalf of the DOH, National
Statistics. ISBN 1 88774 4236
*8 – Beck EJ et al, for the NPMS-HHC Steering Group. “Reduced
HIV disease progression and mortality due to CART in English NPMS-HCC
clinics”. 13th International AIDS Conference, Durban, South Africa
– July 2000: Poster TuPeC3331.
*9 – DOH Prevalence of HIV and hepatitis infections in the UK 2000
Report on the Unlinked Anonymous Surveys Steering Group DOH Dec 2001.
*10 – Durex report 2002
*11 – Baldo M, Aggleton P, Slutkin G. Does sex education lead to
earlier or increased sexual activity in youth? PO DO2 3444 IXth International
Conference on AIDS, Berlin, June 1993.
*12 – Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer’s 2001 –
DOH – UK.
*13 – Professor John Guillebaud - Contraception - Your Questions
Answered. ISBN: 0-4430-6153-x - p2
*14 – Price for Private Patient testing per swab - Chelsea and Westminster
Hospital, London. NHS cost anticipated to be similar.
*15 – Ref: WHO Executive Summary – The state of world health.
http://www.who.int/whr/1995/state.html
*16 – Professor J Guillebaud - Margaret Pyke Centre Newsletter Camden
& Inslington HA UK
*16a – HDA Online - NHPIS
*17 – The London Clinic pathology price guide 2001/2002 – NHS
cost estimated to be similar.
*18 – British National Formulary 2002.