A new report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) warns of significant missed opportunities to tackle alcohol misuse in sexual health services - BBC report.
Download Alcohol and sex: a cocktail for poor sexual health
It says more than one million young people attend sexual health clinics each year, presenting a unique opportunity to communicate key messages alcohol messages and the delivery of brief interventions (IBA). The report highlights evidence linking alcohol consumption to poor sexual health, particularly in the young:
- 82% of 16-30 year olds report drinking alcohol before sexual activity
- People who drink heavily are more likely to have unprotected sex with multiple partners
- 20% of white 14-15-year-old girls report going ‘further than intended' sexually when drunk.
The report highlights 16-24 year olds make up just 12% of the population, yet they account for nearly half of the sexually transmitted infections diagnosed in sexual health clinics.
Key recommendations from the report include:
- Sexual health services should provide information that highlights the link between alcohol consumption and poor sexual health outcomes and signpost sources of useful advice on drinking sensibly
- All clinicians providing sexual health services should be trained in asking about drinking habits through use of a recognised screening tool
- All sexual health services should develop a robust care pathway to refer patients for further support, including local alcohol services
- New commissioning arrangements should ensure that the service specifications for sexual health in primary care and specialist services include opportunistic alcohol screening and brief interventions for young people.
A resource pack for Delivering IBA in Sexual Health settings was recently released by Sexual Health South West and NHS South of England.
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