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‘Let’s
talk about sex’ says HPA
Sexual health is an important
part of physical and mental health and good personal and
sexual relationships
can promote health and well-being. On the other hand unsafe
sex can lead to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and
unplanned pregnancies.¹
‘Young
men and sex: facts and fiction’ is
the title of a one-day workshop being held today at the
Rosspark
Hotel, Kells organised by the Health Promotion Agency for
Northern Ireland.
The workshop
has been arranged in response to the implementation of
the teenage pregnancy and parenthood strategy and the
sexual health strategy for Northern Ireland. Issues to be
covered include: masculinity, sexual health and risk-taking
behaviours, working with and engaging young men, and effective
practice.
Dr Brian
Gaffney, Chief Executive of the HPA, said: “Agency
research shows that almost 9 out of 10 young people aged
18-30 have had
more than one
sexual partner in the last 12 months. More and more young
people engage in unsafe sex leading to higher numbers of
STIs and increased risk of side effects for both men and
women.
He continued: “Traditionally
there has been more information and discussion about sexual
issues
for women but, as partners
in all of these issues, it is important that young men have
access to credible and authoritative information about sexual
health so they are able to make decisions about safe sex.”
The workshop is aimed at people involved in supporting young
men on sexual health issues, such as those from primary care,
social services, education, youth and the community and voluntary
sectors.
Broadcaster and writer, Dr Ian Banks, will be the keynote
speaker and other main contributors include the University
of Ulster, fpaNI, Youth Action NI, the Rainbow Project, Opportunity
Youth, YMCA and Belfast Brook Centre.
End
¹ Department of Health, Social Services
and Public Safety. Investing for Health. Belfast: DHSSPS,
March 2002.
Para 13.45.
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