News and Updates

Aim: to support improvements in sexual health in Scotland by providing high quality health information

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Latest News/Updates

 

Abortion Statistics Scotland 2007 (last updated May 07)

The  Abortion update  contains information on notifications, to the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, of terminations of pregnancy under the Abortion Act 1967 up to year ending 31 December 2007 (published May 08).  The release includes numbers and rates for Scotland, NHS Boards and Local Council Areas.

 

 Sexually Transmitted Infections and Other Sexual Health Information for Scotland (published Nov 07) [8Mb ]

*Please note: Figure 3.19 was updated on 15th January 2008.

This is the third annual report produced by the Sexually Transmitted Infection Epidemiology Advisory Group (STIEAG) and it is significantly different from its predecessors, 'Setting the Scene' and 'Moving Forward'.  In the previous reports, we have used a number of different data sources to describe Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) but we have now introduced data relating to other aspects of sexual health.  This report should be regarded as a start in the process of drawing together information on sexual health and we hope to make further progress in future reports. 

During the preparation of the report, we have liaised with colleagues in the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in London and have arranged that the HPA's UK report and our Scottish report will be published at approximately the same time. This will enable readers to see the Scottish information in the context of the situation in the rest of the UK. 

Both reports are being published shortly before World AIDS day in order to maximize the impact of the information.

Testing Times. HIV & other Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United Kingdom: 2007 can be found at

http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/hiv_and_sti/publications/AnnualReport/default.htm

Key Clinical Indicators for Sexual Health (last updated Nov 07) - Baseline Report on Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) Uptake in Scotland, 2003/04 - 2006/07

'Respect and Responsibility: Strategy and Action Plan for Improving Sexual Health' highlighted the need to monitor sexual health service development both nationally and at an NHS Board level. A set of five key clinical indicators (KCIs) has been developed, for which the data were published in February 2006 and will be updated annually [http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/924/0044637.pdf]

This baseline report looks at the sixth in the series of KCIs for sexual health, and specifically on the usage of Long Acting Reversible methods of Contraception (LARC) amongst women of reproductive age (defined as 15 - 49) in Scotland by NHS Board. These data are reported on the NHS Boards as redefined in 2006 which incorporates NHS Argyll and Clyde into NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Highland.

This report covers four financial years, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06 and 2006/07.

Teenage Pregnancy (last updated Oct 07)                                      

The methodology and data sources used for calculating these data has changed. Details of these changes are summarised in the attached paper.  Any questions about this change should be addressed to: Dr James Chalmers, Telephone: 0131 275 6136 or Email: jim.chalmers@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk  or : jim.chalmers @nhs.net.

"Mystery Shopper" Study 2007 - A study of service access for acute STIs in Scotland (published July 07)

"Respect and Responsibility: Strategy and Action Plan for Improving Sexual Health" highlighted the need to monitor sexual health service development both nationally and at an NHS Board level. A set of five key clinical indicators (KCIs) has already been developed. Key clinical indicator nine is part of the second phase of indicators, currently in development.

Key clinical indicator (KCI) 9 assesses service access for individuals with symptoms suggestive of an acute STI. The rationale for KCI9 is to ensure that a priority group of people have prompt access to services, both to reduce the distress and anxiety associated with symptoms as well as reducing potential onward transmission.

A "Mystery Shopper" methodology, healthy people masquerading as individuals with symptoms suggestive of an acute STI, has been used to collect this information.

The Mystery Shopper Study executive summary and final report are now available.

Key Clinical Indicators for Sexual Health - NSHAC Action 12 Subgroup Report on the Baseline Data for 2005 (published Feb 07)

'Respect and Responsibility: Strategy and Action Plan for Improving Sexual Health' highlighted the need to monitor sexual health service development both nationally and at an NHS Board level. A set of five key clinical indicators (KCIs) has been developed for which baseline data is required.

This report sets out these data for 2005 (calendar year) and provides a commentary.  The Key Clinical Indicators for Sexual Health have been developed by the Action 12 subgroup on behalf of the National Sexual Health Advisory Committee (NSHAC). The indicators examine:

1. Chlamydia
2. Access to Male & Female Sterilisation
3. Termination of Pregnancy
4. HIV therapy
5. Hepatitis B Vaccination for men who have sex with men (MSM)       

The Key Clinical Indicators for Sexual Health Report is published on the Scottish Executive Health Department sexual health web pages.

The Sexually Transmitted Infections update presents data on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and workload in GUM clinics.  It was timed to coincide with the Health Protection Agency's UK wide GUM clinic data. 

The Teenage Pregnancy update  contains information on teenage pregnancy in Scotland.

                                                                    

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