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Sexual Health

Summary Points
  • Sexually Transmitted Infection rates are increasing in Wales. They affect people of all ages, but occur most frequently amongst young people under the age of 25 years.

  • In Merthyr Tydfil, the number of conceptions to girls aged 16 and under is 9.8 per 1,000 compared to the Wales average of 8 per 1,000 [2002-04]

In Wales, by the age of 15 years, 28% of young men and 40 % of young women have had sexual intercourse and report that the mean age for their first sexual encounter is 14.3 years.

Wales has the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in Europe. Merthyr Tydfil in common with other South Wales Valley communities has rates higher than the national average. In Merthyr Tydfil, the number of conceptions to girls aged 16 and under is 9.8 per 1,000 compared to the Wales average of 8 per 1,000 [2002-04]

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) rates are increasing in Wales. They affect people of all ages, but occur most frequently amongst young people under the age of 25 years.

The diagnosis of the most common infection in young people, chlamydia, has risen sharply since 1992. This could be due to increases in the number of cases being diagnosed as well as numbers of young people being infected. It is a worrying sign that rates of this and other STIs are increasing as it suggests that more teenagers are having unprotected sex and exposing themselves to greater risk of infection.

'A Strategic Framework for Promoting Sexual Health in Wales' developed by the National Assembly for Wales provides the basis for work in this field. It encourages authorities to respond to these high levels of unplanned pregnancies and the rise in sexually transmitted infections amongst young people. In another document, ‘Children and Young People: Rights to Action’ the Welsh Assembly Government recognises sexual health as an issue in which partnership working has a vital role to play.

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