ABSTRACT
The concept of sexual health 111 The concept of sexual health promotion 115 Sexual health promotion and the midwife 116 Challenges to sexual health promotion 117 Knowledge, attitudes and skills for sexual health promotion
in midwifery practice 118 Summary of key points 123 References 124 Further reading 126
Sexual health promotion requires social and political action, and educational and clinical interventions, which aim to improve the sexual health and well-being of individuals, families and communities. Despite Government commitment to this aim (Department of Health (DoH) 1992), the last 10 years has seen a rapid decline in the nation’s sexual health. The National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV (DoH 2001), and the Select Committee on Sexual Health (House of Commons 2003) provide alarming evidence supporting this view. Increases in sexual risk-taking behaviours, unintended pregnancies, abortions, HIV, Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have become a serious public health problem, now at crisis point and with escalating cost to the National Health Service (Alder 2003). Although sexual ill-health is widespread, it is more pervasive in vulnerable individuals and in people who suffer inequalities, e.g. women, teenagers, and black and ethnic minority people, especially those residing in inner city areas (DoH 2001, House of Commons 2003). Midwives are in an ideal position to improve the sexual and reproductive health of women. This can be achieved by working within targeted initiatives and developing health-promoting programmes that aim to enhance women’s rational thoughts and sexual decision-making, restore their sexual self-esteem, and encourage sex-positive feelings, attitudes and behaviours.
