Teens demand better sexual health

There is a high rate of teenage pregnancy in Sheffield

Teenagers from Sheffield visited Parliament on Tuesday to inform senior politicians and policy makers of their requests for more sexual health services.

Their message was delivered at an informal meeting in the House of Lords, when their city's ten-year plan to reduce teenage pregnancies was discussed.

The trip was organised by the teenage preganancy co-ordinator for Sheffield, Kate Quail, and the director of the city's centre for HIV and sexual health, Jo Adams.

England has the highest rate of teenage conceptions in western Europe, with parts of Sheffield displaying some of the highest rates in the country.

This is the first time that young people have been given the opportunity to talk openly and frankly with key policy makers about the things they really need

Kate Quail, Teenage pregnancy co-ordinator

Health workers in the city say they are breaking new ground in dealing with sexual health issues - and that their policies need to be reflected nationally.

They want better sex education in secondary schools and advice for parents and carers.

The group of young people attended a lunch hosted by Baroness Doreen Massey.

Guests included advisor to the National Teenage Pregnancy Unit, Karen Turner, and Dr Evan Harris MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for health.

Ms Quail said: "Sheffield is spearheading a new approach to policy making that gives young people the opportunity to shape their own futures.

"This will form the basis of a national model that other major cities can adapt.

"This is the first time that young people have been given the opportunity to talk openly and frankly with key policy makers about the things they really need."

National priorities

The Government has a commitment to reduce the number of teenage conceptions by half by 2010.

A new national Sexual Health Strategy - currently out for public consultation - is anticipated for 2002.

The young people visiting Westminster from Sheffield presented a series of requirements that they have identified as important for their positive sexual health and well-being.

These include:

Sex education should be taught to all pupils in every year group of secondary school and this should be built on year after year.

There should be more emphasis on educating young people on sexually transmitted diseases within schools.

Boys and girls should learn about sexual health needs of both sexes, together and separately.

Young people should be able to discuss their feelings as well as being provided with sexual health information.

Information and education of sexual health should be delivered by a variety of people, including teachers, youth workers, nurses, and young people themselves.

Young people's parents and carers need to be encouraged to talk more openly about sex and relationships.