|
|
 |
|
Opinion,
Comment & Reviews
Contraception |
| |
|
| |
Brook
to provide emergency contraception in advance
By Maxine Lattimer
Brook Advisory Centres across the country are advising teenagers
to stock up on contraceptives including condoms, the pill
and emergency contraception over the millennium period. Young
people may get "carried away" under the influence of drink,
drugs and the excitement of the New Year. Brook warned that
sexually transmitted infections and unwanted teenage pregnancies
could increase if youngsters do not take precautions over
the holiday. A recent survey by Brook found that one in five
people aged 16 to 24 had sex he or she later regretted after
drinking. One in seven had unprotected sex and one in 10 could
not remember having had sex after drinking. They are urging
young people to be prepared for the New Year celebrations.
The Health Education Authority has voiced similar concerns,
and have produced figures showing that one in 10 men said
meeting a sexual partner on millennium night would be a top
priority. The HEA figures showed that half of young men in
the UK planned to see the millennium in by going to a pub,
club, or party. The levels of unprotected sex are also shown
to rise during the festive period with more people going for
tests for HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
Project manager Katy Fitzsimon said: "A significant number
of young people will be out celebrating and looking to meet
new sexual partners during millennium celebrations. Even though
one of our campaign's messages urges people only to have sex
if they really want to, our research shows that three out
of four young people drink heavily at Christmas parties, and
that about one in seven young people has had unsafe sex after
drinking alcohol". There are also worries that the long holiday
will mean doctors' surgeries will be closed and young people
will not be able to get emergency contraception. Katy Fitzsimon
said: "We're urging young people to prepare now so they're
able to have safer sex if they meet a new partner during the
festivities."
Alison Hadley, national policy officer for Brook said: "The
last quarter of the year usually shows a higher conception
rate among young people than at any other time of the year,
so it is really important to make all our services as accessible
as possible to young people to help prevent unplanned pregnancy
and sexually transmitted infections. We are asking young people
to think ahead about their contraceptive needs over the extended
holiday and make sure they are well prepared to party safely
and enter the new millennium without regrets."
British Pregnancy Advisory Service is also providing emergency
contraception before the emergency. Thirty-three BPAS branches
around the country will prescribe emergency contraceptive
pills to women who want to keep them to hand. Ann Furedi of
BPAS said: 'It makes sense for women to be prepared for the
morning after. You don't wait until you have a headache to
buy aspirin - why should you wait until you've had sex to
get emergency contraception?'
Women can book a local BPAS appointment by calling 08457 30
40 30.
BPAS website: www.bpas.org
|
| |
|
|
|
|
