Health Improvement Programme for
Doncaster 2000 - 2003

Strategic Direction

To improve the health of the population as a whole, to narrow the sexual health inequalities and to enhance peoples health and well being by supporting positive sexual relationships.

Targets

Sexual Health problems are a significant cause of premature death and ill health. Unintended teenage conceptions, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are particular areas of public concern on which preventative work and service provision need to be focused.

• To halve the rate of conceptions amongst under 18's by 2010 from the April 1999 baseline. (National Target)
• To reduce the rate of conceptions amongst the under 16's by at least 50% by the year 2010, from the April 1999 baseline.
• To develop targets for the reduction of sexually transmitted infections.

There are marked inequalities in sexual health linked to socio-economic exclusion and to cultural influences and attitudes. Nationally, conception rate amongst girls under 16 increased through the 1980s and peaked in 1990, since this time there has been a significant downward trend with an overall decrease of around 15%. The 1989 National baseline figure being 9.5 per 1,000 girls aged 13-15. In Doncaster the 1989 baseline figure was 16.0 per 1,000 and any improvements to date are fractional.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's) are increasing, particularly chlamydia which is the single most preventable cause of infertility in women.

HIV and AIDS is a serious threat to health and remains a challenging Public Health issue. Preventing the transmission of HIV and other STI's depends largely upon intervention being able to bring about sustained behavioural changes. We need to continue to prioritise work aimed at raising and maintaining awareness of HIV and other STI's and accurate information needs to be available in a wide range of appropriate settings.

The HAZ implementation plan has a wide range of initiatives which will support the specific work by addressing the wider determinants of health, as will the work being undertaken as part of the Healthy Schools Initiative.

Local figures indicated that almost 90% of young people are sexually active by the time they are 19 years old. The knowledge of the main ways in which HIV can be transmitted remains generally high among young adults in Doncaster but the majority do not perceive themselves to be at risk.

We will develop community based approaches to reducing unintended teenage pregnancy to raise awareness, amongst the general population particularly in terms of 'at risk behaviour', through the use of appropriate materials and activities.

Further information can be obtained by downloading the full text version of the Health Improvement Programme for Doncaster 2000 - 2003.

Any comments on this section should be submitted to the theme lead: Ms. Angela Scott, Director of Health Promotion, Doncaster Health Authority, White Rose House, Ten Pound Walk, Doncaster, DN4 5DJ. email: angela.scott@doncaster-ha.trent.nhs.uk