Sexually Transmitted Infections in Young People

This session will review sexually transmitted infection (STI) trends in young people, sexual health promotion and identify factors which place young people at high risk of STIs. It will also describe the different models of sexual health services available to young people and how modernisation of services has improved access and care.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in young people
• Identify different ways of promoting sexual health in young people
• Recognise factors which place young people at high risk of acquiring STIs
• Describe the different models of sexual health service provision for young people
• Explain how modernisation of sexual health services has improved access and care

Young people in the UK are reported to have amongst the poorest levels of sexual health and well-being compared with other industrialised nations. The outcome is seen in high rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other associated high risk behaviours such as drug and alcohol use.