Teen sex infection hike

According to the latest figures, an average of just over five teenagers every week sought help for the first time at the Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic based at Altnagelvin Hospital last year.

It has also emerged that six per cent of births in the Londonderry area last year were to teenage mothers.

The Western Health and Social Care Trust's GUM Clinic said it has identified that the number of new patients under 20 years old attending clinics has increased by 33% over the last five years (2005-2009). As well as treating patients who had been seen before, the Trust said that in 2009 the GUM Clinic saw approximately 270 new patients aged under 20-years-old.

It also said that ten of them were aged 15 years or younger.

The four most commonly diagnosed conditions at the Western Trust GUM Clinic, which provides services for people across the Western Trust area, are: Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, Herpes and Genital Warts. In 2009 31% of new patients seen under 20 years old had Genital Warts and 27% had Chlamydia, according to health chiefs.

In 2009, there were approximately 110 births to mothers under 19 years old from the Londonderry area - 6% of the total births.

Western Trust Health Promotion Officer, Ann Linstrom said "good relationship and sexuality education" was vital, but that parents who were "approachable" to children had a hugely important role to play.

She said: "The sexual health of young people is a priority area identified in the recent Regional Sexual Health Strategy for NI. To address this issue young people need good relationships and sexuality education with access to appropriate services if required. Young people have been telling us when it comes to relationships and sexuality education they receive too little too late. A needs assessment carried out by the University of Ulster several years ago in the Western Trust area highlighted that young people wanted to know more about relationships and dealing with emotions."

Ms Linstrom continued: "The purpose of sex education is to provide young people with the knowledge and skills so they can make informed healthy choices in future life. There is a fear about teaching young people about relationships and sex. Some may think that talking about sex will encourage sexual behaviour, however, research has highlighted that good relationship and sexuality education can delay first intercourse and actually encourage young people to be more responsible when they decide to enter into a sexual relationship."

"Improving sexual health within our community requires a partnership approach and everyone has a role to play including government, health services, education, local communities as well as parents. Parents have a powerful role to play in educating their children on this subject. If they do not talk to their children they run the risk of children getting inaccurate information from an inappropriate source. Being an approachable adult with good bonds and connections to your children are powerful protective factors that will help buffer young people from risk taking behaviours in general, not just sex.

"If parents/ carers were the primary sex educators complimented with a good relationships and sexuality education programme at school then supported by appropriate services, young people would have a better knowledge and skills base to equip them for adult life."

The Western Trust Health Promotion Department are involved in a number of local initiatives to support young people. The Trust also facilitates events specifically for parents/ carers to support them in communicating with their children.

A spokesperson urged anyone who wants further information about local initiatives, or for supporting materials, to contact Ann Linstrom or Eilish McCloskey at the Western Trust Health Promotion on 028 7186 5127.

She added: "Improving sexual health within our community requires a partnership approach and everyone has a role to play including government, health services, education, local communities as well as parents."

She said parents have a powerful role to play in educating their children on this subject.

"If they do not talk to their children they run the risk of children getting inaccurate information from an inappropriate source. Being an approachable adult with good bonds and connections to your children are powerful protective factors that will help buffer young people from risk taking behaviours in general, not just sex," she added.

The Western Trust Health Promotion Department are involved in a number of local initiatives to support young people. It also facilitates events specifically for parents/ carers to support them in communicating with their children.