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Sexual Health

Population Outcome: People living in Suffolk and North East Essex have Good Sexual Health

The best sexual health throughout life is essential if everyone in Suffolk and North East Essex is to start well, live well and age well. Ensuring access to information, preventative non-stigmatising care and treatment is vital in ensuring people can maintain good sexual health.

Indicators

Barometer Measure

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Data about Sexually Transmitted Infections

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Definition – Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a group of viral, bacterial and parasitic infections passed from one person to another person through sexual contact. Many STIs are treatable, however, some can lead to complications or serious illness.
STIs may be spread by:
Having unprotected (without a condom) vaginal, oral, or anal sex with someone who has an STI. It can be difficult to tell if someone has an STI. STIs can be spread even if there are no signs or symptoms.
During genital touching. It is possible to get some STIs, such as syphilis and herpes, without having intercourse.
From a pregnant or breastfeeding person to their baby
Regular screening for STIs and HIV is essential to maintain good sexual health – everyone should have an STI screen, including an HIV test, on at least an annual basis if having condomless sex with new or casual partners
Syphilis is an important public health issue in men who have sex with men (MSM) among whom incidence has increased over the past decade.
Gonorrhoea causes avoidable sexual and reproductive ill-health. Gonorrhoea is used as a marker for rates of unsafe sexual activity. This is because the majority of cases are diagnosed in sexual health clinics, and consequently the number of cases may be a measure of access to sexually transmitted infection (STI) treatment. Infections with gonorrhoea are also more likely than chlamydia to result in symptoms.
Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed bacterial sexually transmitted infection in England, with rates substantially higher in young adults than any other age group. It causes avoidable sexual and reproductive ill-health, including symptomatic acute infections and complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy and tubal-factor infertility.
The National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) promotes opportunistic screening to sexually active young people aged under 25 years. In June 2021 changes to the programme were announced with a focus on reducing reproductive harm of untreated infection through opportunistic screening offered to young women aged under 25 years.
Genital warts are the third most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK and are caused by infection with specific subtypes of human papillomavirus (HPV). Recurrent infections are common with patients returning for treatment.
Genital herpes is the most common ulcerative sexually transmitted infection seen in England. Infections are frequently due to herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2, although HSV-1 infection is also seen. Recurrent infections are common with patients returning for treatment.
Mycoplasma genitalium (M. gen) is a sexually transmitted pathogen associated with acute and chronic non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) in men, with a growing body of evidence suggesting its association with post coital bleeding and cervicitis, endometritis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in cisgender women.
Most people infected in the genital tract do not develop disease. However, current treatment for M. gen is imperfect and associated with development of antimicrobial resistance.
Trichomoniasis is a curable bacterial sexually transmitted infection affecting mostly people aged 15 to 49 years. Its elimination is a global priority set in the WHO Global Health Strategy on STIs, 2016 to 2021

Sexual and Reproductive Health Profiles – Data – OHID (phe.org.uk)

Data about Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

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The Story Behind the Outcome

Lived Experience

Reports

Coming Soon

Published Evidence

Sexual health, Wellbeing and Reducing Risk

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Wider Data

None available

References & Further Reading

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Further Information

Useful Organisations

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Our Ambition

What we know matters and why

What matters?	Why?
I know how to keep safe and well	Knowing the importance of safe sex and ways to prevent infections helps me to maintain good health. Understanding healthy relationships and consent means I can keep myself and others safe and well.
I can recognise signs and symptoms of infection	Early diagnosis of sexual health infections means I can access confidential advice and treatment sooner.
I have access to high quality treatment and care	Easy access to high quality, confidential services helps me prevent infection, recover quickly and prevent any long term impacts. Access to reproductive health advice enables me to make informed choices about planning or preventing pregnancy.
I am treated as an individual	Treating me and my family with dignity and respect, recognising my culture, characteristics and life circumstances, means my care and support is inclusive, sensitive and responsive to my needs.
I am seen and heard	Having choice and control over my care and support means I can better manage my sexual and reproductive health.

How will things be different in Suffolk and North East Essex

We wIll co-produce high quality information on safe sexual activity, consent, and reproductive health accessible to all age groups, gender and sexual identities, people with communication needs and diverse communities.	We will support people to maintain their health and wellbeing before, while waiting for, during and after treatment to help them stay well and recover well.
We will provide flexible, confidential, non-stigmatising care and support that recognises people’s individual needs and circumstances.

Sexual Health

Population Outcome
Indicators
The Story Behind the Outcome
Lived Experience
Published Evidence
Wider Data
Further Reading
Our Ambition
What we know matters and why
How will things be different in Suffolk and North East Essex
Case Studies
Relevant plans and strategies

Case Studies – how we are making progress across Suffolk & North East Essex

Supporting Women with Learning Disabilities with Sexual and Reproductive Health

Publish Your Case Studies Here

Relevant plans and strategies

National

All Our Health: personalised care and population health
Sexual and reproductive health and HIV: strategic action plan

ICS

NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board – Joint Forward Plan
Be Well

County

Suffolk County Council
Suffolk Women’s Health Engagement Project
A Local Conversation about Women’s Reproductive Health

Alliance

Ipswich and East Suffolk
Alliance Delivery Plan

North East Essex
Alliance Delivery Plan

West Suffolk
Alliance Delivery Plan

Working Together

Best Health and Wellbeing

Health Equality

Live Well

‘Can Do’ Health and Care

Get Involved

Sexual Health

Population Outcome: People living in Suffolk and North East Essex have Good Sexual Health

Indicators

Barometer Measure

Data about Sexually Transmitted Infections

Data about Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

The Story Behind the Outcome

Lived Experience

Reports

Published Evidence

Sexual health, Wellbeing and Reducing Risk

Wider Data

Further Reading

References & Further Reading

Further Information

Useful Organisations

Our Ambition

What we know matters and why

How will things be different in Suffolk and North East Essex

Sexual Health

Case Studies – how we are making progress across Suffolk & North East Essex

Relevant plans and strategies

National

ICS

County

Alliance