Analysis of Sexual Health Policies and Teenage Pregnancy in the UK

This report explores the issue of teenage pregnancy in the UK, examining concepts and theories of human sexual behavior and their impact on sexual health promotion. It discusses various health promotion models, such as the health belief model, and their application in addressing teenage pregnancy. The report critically evaluates current sexual health policies and interventions in the UK, including Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) and contraception programs, assessing their effectiveness. Furthermore, it addresses the challenges of sexual health promotion, considering cultural, religious, and ethical factors. The report analyzes the complexities of the issue and provides insights into potential strategies for improvement, drawing upon the provided academic resources.

Promoting sexual
health

Table of Contents
LO 1...............................................................................................................................................................4
Concepts and theories relating to human sexual behavior and their impact on sexual health promotion
.............................................................................................................................................................4
LO2................................................................................................................................................................5
Models of health promotion used to promote sexual health and complexities of sexual health
promotion within different populations...............................................................................................5
LO3................................................................................................................................................................7
Current sexual health policies and interventions and polices use to effectively promote sexual health
.............................................................................................................................................................7
LO4................................................................................................................................................................9
The challenge of sexual health promotion in relation to Cultural, religious and ethical factors and
relate these considerations to affect sex, sexuality and sexual health.................................................9
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES.............................................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
The given study will explore the issue related to teenage pregnancy that is present in UK.
Focus will be given on understanding the concepts and theories relating to human sexual
behavior and linking it to teenage pregnancy. Other than that, a discussion on models of health
promotion will also be done. Emphasis can be used to discuss these models can help in making
health promotion towards teenage pregnancy a success. It is further known that government of
UK has certain to sexual health policies and interventions in place. These will be evaluated
critically so as to effectively promote sexual health. A discussion will further be done on
challenge of sexual health promotion with respect to teenage pregnancy.
BACKGROUND OF THE TOPIC
Sexual health promotion is all about enabling the individuals to enhance the control over
as well as improve the overall sexual well being (McMichael, 2008). It moves beyond individual
behavior and gives emphasis on focusing on wide range of social and environmental
interventions that can be taken for sexual health promotion. In this regard, teenage pregnancy can
be defined as the period when females under the age of 20, get pregnant on account of sexual
intercourse (Has Britain solved its teenage pregnancy problem, 2014). The government of UK
regards teenage pregnancy to be a major issue that is of huge concern. This is as UK has the
highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the arena of Western Europe. This is despite being the
biggest users of contraceptives around the world.
LO 1
Concepts and theories relating to human sexual behavior and their impact on sexual health
promotion
There is a presence of many theories that can be used to understand why an individual is
inclined to sexual behaviour (Perry and et.al., 2012). Freud’s psychosexual development theory
focuses on the fact that individual showcase sexual behavior on account of the libido which is an
instinctual energy that is generated organically.
Alfred Kinsey said that there is a presence of varied pattern with respect to sexual
behavior. These include homosexual and heterosexual. Other than that, there is further presence
of bisexuals that occupy an intermediate position (Marx, Harrison and Riggs, 2005). Hence, the

individuals of any of the above type have a tendency to experience sexual activity and also show
psychic reactions. The teenagers further have a tendency to experience se at an early age. Hence,
they wish to have sexual intercourse as soon as possible. This very tendency may lead to teenage
pregnancy. This mainly happens due to non-awareness about control measures (Day, 2011).
The studies have clearly indicated that young people have sex on account of many
reasons. These are inclusive of intimacy, desire, external reasons as well as affect management.
Higher anxiety has further been regarded as external reasons for being involved in sexual activity
(Kontula, 2011). Other than that, affect management reasons include lower self-esteem that is
usually faced by younger age people. However, a different case was found with respect to female
youth who executed higher impulsiveness on account of more external reasons as well as fewer
intimacy reasons. The external reason also includes peer pressure that makes the teenagers get
involve in sexual intercourse (Clift and Page, 2015). The friends and other peers pressurize them
to have sex which may lead to teenage pregnancy.
Richard von Krafft-Ebing was a German sexologist who wrote the book Psychopathia
Sexualis. The book is about the different kinds of sexual behavior that were considered
disgustful. He stated the existence of different sexual behaviors and practices. He termed them
all as a 'natural variations' (Marx, Harrison and Riggs, 2005). It refers to called as arising from
one and same phenomenon. Different four groups are classified to these sexual deviations. These
are namely, sadism, masochism, fetishism, and homosexuality. Krafft-Ebing made emphasis on
fetishes, masochistic sadistic behaviors. He also believed that homosexuality was a natural
happening (Bailey and et.al., 2015). Krafft-Ebing had focused existence of homosexuality and
that it is not a disease. Rather, it is a natural occurring process for the human beings who are
homosexual.
LO2
Models of health promotion used to promote sexual health and complexities of sexual health
promotion within different populations
There is a presence of many theories of health promotion. One such is health belief model
which has made an attempt to explain as well as predict the health behaviors of individuals. It is
done by giving major emphasis on the attitudes and beliefs of individuals (Wight and Fullerton,
2013). In this regard, the teenage pregnancy in young people can only be avoided if the teenagers

feel that it is a negative situation and can have long lasting impacts on their overall self
(McMichael, 2008). It can further make youngsters get aware that they can avoid teenage
pregnancy by making use of condoms while engaging in sexual intercourse (Marx, Harrison and
Riggs, 2005). In the same way, the health promotion acts on teenage pregnancy can be made
effective if the teenagers are name to believe that they can successfully undertake a
recommended health action by making use of condoms comfortably and with confidence.
Figure 1: Health belief model
(Source: Pedrana and et.al., 2013)
The promoters can further focus on above mentioned areas of diagram so as to avoid
development of teenage pregnancy in individuals. Perceived Susceptibility and severity- In this regard, the promoters should make sure that
there campaign focuses on understanding about the seriousness of situation. They can be
made to understand that teenage pregnancy may result in long lasting health effects
(Pedrana and et.al., 2013).
 Modifying factors - The next one is the modifying factors. In this regard, the teenagers
can made manageable about ill effects of teenage pregnancy. It can further be linked to
their socio economic status (McMichael, 2008). It can be said that teenage pregnancy can
impact their finances. It can further restrict their social life. The burdens of handling a
child at an early age can be told to them with the help of campaign.

 Cues to action – It includes reminding youth about avoiding teenage pregnancy. It can
include giving them incentives such as printed messages like no glove, no love. Reminder
messages can further be printed on school newsletter. The cues to action can also include
informing them through education (McMichael, 2008). In this respect, government can
take steps with respect to including sexual reproduction as a course curricular for students
in school. Media information can further pay a key role. Here, ill effects of teenage
regency can be informer to masses especially the youngsters via television, read,
newspaper as well as social networking sites. They can be informed about hoe teenage
pregnancy can be prevented by making use of condoms etc (Friedman and et.al., 2014).
There is further a need by health promoters to made culture in the youngsters so that
teenage pregnancy can be avoided.
 Perceived Benefits - The youth can further made to believe that if they make use of
recommended action such as condoms then it can protect them from getting pregnant.
 Perceived Barriers - In this regard, there has been identification of personal barriers.
These are mainly towards making use of condoms so as to prevent teenage pregnancy.
The youth have been found to say that condoms limit the feelings. Moreover, the
indivisibly find it too embarrassing to talk to their partner about it. In this regard, health
portion campaign can reduce these barriers by giving them varied suggestions (Zarzeczna-
Baran, 2002). These include teaching them to put lubricant inside the condom so that
sensation can be increased for males. It can further include making them learn condom
communication skills so that their embarrassment level can be decreased.
 Self-Efficacy - According to self efficacy as the part of health belief model refers to the
confidence level of an individual as an ability to successfully work with a positive mind
set. It is constructed as a part of certain behavioral theories with respect to the desired
attitude to carry out work (Riekert, Ockene and Pbert, 2013). This develops a capability
to initiate an action. Youth should further be made confident in using a condom whole
having sexual intercourse. Further, they need to provide mentorship and guidance which
is inclusive of information regarding where to get things being tested from. Moreover,
need of training which comprises of practice of taking an appointment need to be
developed.

LO3
Current sexual health policies and interventions and polices use to effectively promote sexual
health
In last thirty years, there has been noticed unprecedented displacement in the behavior of
people with respect to sex and sexuality (Day, 2011). Various actions have been taken in order to
tackle the new and emerging threats to causes of rising teenage pregnancy in UK. In this light,
the information regarding action taken to control HIV is given to people. This includes;
knowledge about Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics and schemes of needle exchange
(Friedman and et.al., 2014). This is proved to be one of the effective reasons in lowering the rate
of HIV in Europe. In similar fashion, broad range of contraceptive tools is provided at free cost
by NHS. This is for generating awareness among people to plan their family.
Despite such measures, there has been seen high rate of sexuality and teenage
pregnancies in the UK. As per the evidence, it has been found that people are lacking with the
information to take corrective action for their sexual health (Riekert, Ockene and Pbert, 2013).
The reason being for the high rate of teenage pregnancies has also been sexual ill-health, social
exclusion and poverty (McMichael, 2008). After assessing these trends in UK, there is need to
investigate the sexual health policies and interventions that are associated with teenage
pregnancy.
The national strategy for sexual health and HIV has been drawn by the experts across the
UK. These are set in line with the principles and norms of the NHS (Kontula, 2011). The
objective of these policies is to create awareness among the teenagers to learn about the ill-health
consequences of sexual intercourse. Moreover, it aims to create in them awareness to tackle the
issues associated with early age pregnancy (Mason, 2011). There are various policies and
intervention actions taken in the UK. Detail of those aspects in promoting sexual health has been
examined in the following points:
The implementation of Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) has been noticed as a
positive impact over the sexual behavior of teenagers. For instance, creating in young students
about the need and awareness of the use of condoms and contraceptive uses had positive

outcome in their behavioral learning. This program has helped in reducing almost 30% in the
frequency of the sex and 60 per cent in the unprotected sex.
Contraception has been taken as an initiation that has been taken as a safeguarding
program in UK. It refers to increase use of more effective ways of improving sexual activity. In
all, the improvements in the use of contraceptive tools have been made. In UK, there are 15
different methods of contraception which are currently available. People make use of the suitable
one depending on their health and circumstances. Some among them includes caps, combined
pills, vaginal rings, diaphragms, intrauterine device, progestogen pills, natural family planning,
contraceptive patch etc (Clift and Page, 2015). In order to work with respect to improvement
measures, better education materials can be provided. Furthermore, greater social marketing can
be made regarding contraception. This would act as assistance to obtain family planning services
to both male as well as female. Along with this, improvements in contraceptive uses are
inclusive of use of condoms, multiple methods usage, birth control pills and a fall in nonuse.
England has been evidenced with the low prevalence of HIV. There are instances when
there is no space for complacency. On records as in 2000, HIV infection was highest (Linos and
Kirch, 2007). This is the reason that implementation of the antenatal HIV screening policy was
made. It has been proved effective in maintaining and strengthening prevention efforts for
reducing teenage pregnancy.
In similar fashion, it has been evidences that there are various actions taken for
unplanned pregnancy. In the same vein of implementation of policies and programs, there is
Teenage Pregnancy Strategy (TPS) (Jeyasingham, 2008). The success of this plan lies in taking
healthy schools and Department for Education and Skills’ initiatives to help the students. It helps
and supports them to expand their learning and knowledge in understanding sexual relationships
(Kontula, 2011). The effectiveness of the application of these strategies has been focused by
reflecting the five actions areas that promote health. They are detailed as follows:
 Development of healthy public policy supports to promote sexual health at local and
national levels (Kontula, 2011). The implementation of strategy sets out a range of public
health actions to minimize the spread of HIV and other STIs.
 These strategies emphasizes on the significance of sexual ill-health. This is achieved by
the creation of environment that supports in reducing the stigma of STI and HIV
(Jeyasingham, 2008).

 The action plans to enhance the social and personal skills with respect to sex, sexuality
and sexual health of individual (Wight and Fullerton, 2013). It helps them to provide
better knowledge which is bought about from the skills to make informed choices.
 Education and training in schools, colleges, workplace and hospitals are the source of
promoting sexual health (Linos and Kirch, 2007). This effective implementation
describes well the program for evidence based practice.
 The actions and plans are set to prioritize the objectives so that effective decision can be
taken with the planned outcome (Perry and et.al., 2012). The aim of this aspect is to
reduce the health inequalities in sexual health with the encouragement of more
participation of the local community of UK.
 There is further a need to intake HIV screening in pregnancy (Kontula, 2011). This is
especially essential for teenagers so as to reduce the chance of transmitting HIV infection
from infected pregnant teenager to the child.
Role of mass media has also been proved contributory in preventing the ill-health of the
teenage pregnancy (Jeyasingham, 2008). There have been initiated National information
campaigns that acted as a backdrop for safeguarding prevention action. It fosters the
implementation of appropriate communication so that people can effectively make informed
choice. In similar vein, the campaign for safer sex has been implemented (Linos and Kirch,
2007). In this regard, government of UK has launched a campaign for contraception awareness
so as to preventing teenage pregnancy. The idea of campaign is to provide condom kiosks in
pharmacies as well as render extra information at abortion clinics so that repeat terminations can
be prevented (Ryan, 2008).
LO4
The challenge of sexual health promotion in relation to Cultural, religious and ethical factors and
relate these considerations to affect sex, sexuality and sexual health
Social health is a term which is affected by various complex factors. It ranges from
sexual attitude of an individual to different community factors and genetic disposition. This is
also inclusive of issues such as HIV and STIs/RTIs, unintended pregnancy and abortion,
infertility and cancer resulting from STIs, and sexual dysfunction (Pedrana and et.al., 2013).
Mental status of an individual, aggression, chronic and acute health conditions etc affect the
family, community and peer group (Mason, 2011). This calls for a need of policy, laws and

regulatory environment that creates sexual rights of all the associated people. In order to design
and provide services, various sexual health issues are necessarily required to be appreciating and
understand.
There are number of challenges which are required to be taken into account for bringing
improvement in reproductive and sexual health of the health care units and interventions.
Another challenge of discussing this private issue is a difficulty (Linos and Kirch, 2007). There
is need to consider the aspects such as social, cultural and ethical grounds while taking these
things into practice (Jeyasingham, 2008). There is need to understand the various challenges of
sexual health promotion in relation to cultural, religious and ethical factors. These factors have
been discussed as follows:
Challenge of sexual health promotion in relation to ethical considerations
Sexual health promotion has been considered as one of the most crucial way in which
certain challenges can be addressed. There are various negative and adverse impacts of teenagers
who became victim of early pregnancy (Bailey and et.al., 2015). Hence, the role of health care
professional becomes dominant to address the considerations that are required to be taken.
Generally, the three chief aspects have been mentioned and are stated as below:
Safeguarding
In order to meet the reduction in problems that arises with the early sexual intercourse
can be minimized with the ethical practice of safeguarding (Kontula, 2011). This term refers to
the role of professional who is involved to show the concern about the young person. Ethical
background intimates about the need of understanding and making them feel secure. It is to come
with an appropriate solution to the problem.
Moreover, there are used various tools which work to safeguard the life of young people
who faces the issues such as early or unintended pregnancy. Gillick competency and Fraser
guidelines are two such tools which are used to provide children safety and the protection of their
rights. Mrs. Gillick by using her local health authority made an attempt to stop professionals
from imparting advice on contraceptive use who are under the age of 16 without their parent’s
consent (Wight and Fullerton, 2013). Similarly, Fraser guidelines are applicable to impart
contraceptive advice. He on contrary to that always proceeded to give treatment and advice
regarding the same with an intention to safeguard the young people. However, involving in
sexual intercourse at very early age indicates child exploitation. Involving child under the age of

13 years is considered as a criminal offence (Riekert, Ockene and Pbert, 2013). Hence, it is
referral to as the protection of a child.
Confidentiality
There are number of strategies and implementation of plans or policies that are round the
teenage pregnancy (Doughty, 2015). However, it has been evidenced that number of people who
are residing in UK are not effectively able to access those services due to lack of confidence.
They feel shy or conscious in order to access the available free services such as contraceptive
tools.
Judgmental
There are sometime the effect of behavior and attitude of staff which stops the young
people to access the services (Kontula, 2011). In this light, judgmental is another way
consideration which is needed to be met positively.
Challenge of sexual health promotion in relation to culture and religion considerations
Culture has been considered as the most vital aspect which play role in sexual health
promotion (Day, 2011). Teenage pregnancy has been considered as the most focus thing in the
current research. The term culture is inclusive of various aspects such as gender, age, attitude,
value and behavior of people (Marx,Harrison and Riggs, 2005). In present context, it is all about
the influence that one is being with the group which is inclusive of peer pr friends pressure (Day,
2011). Similar is the case of religion which is another aspect that is contributory.
The above mentioned factors have been related to the way they affect and its
interpretation in context to sex, sexuality and sexual health have been detailed as follows:
Sex
Sex is termed as a biological attribute that is defined in both male and female. These are
set that refers to sexual intercourse (Marx, Harrison and Riggs, 2005). It is an activity which is
generally taken by considering the factors such as social, psychological need. The ethical
practice is also vital in the same. For instance, teenage sexual intercourse is referred to as an
early intimation which is not considered as a part of ethical activity.
Sexuality
The central criteria of the human life are considered to be sexuality. It is inclusive of
various aspects such as sex, gender behavior, practices, values, sexual orientation, relationships
and roles (Jeyasingham, 2008). It is considered as an experience in the life of human being which

is inclusive of various dimensions. Therefore, in a crux, it can be said that sexuality is an aspect
which is affected by the influence of various interaction of factors (Health and Safety Executive,
2015). The list is inclusive of forces such as biological, psychological, social, economic,
political, cultural, ethical, legal, historical, religious and spiritual factors (Pedrana and et.al.,
2013).
Sexual health
Another term, in the same vein is the sexual health. The state and condition of emotional,
mental, physical and social well-being of a human being in relation to the sexuality falls under
sexual health (Jeyasingham, 2008). Hence, it is not necessarily associated in terms of disease,
infirmity or dysfunction. It demands both respectful and positive initiation to address sexual
relationships and approaches. Sexual health refers to approach to safer sex that should not
include violence, discrimination and coercion (Linos and Kirch, 2007). In a crux, the way to
achieve the fulfillment and safeguarding of sexual health of individual, sexual rights must be
attained.
It is further found that society does not have a good opinion about sexuality in young
people; it is still considered as a taboo in many areas. Hence, carrying out sexual promotion
activities for teenage pregnancy does not out to be as for the sponsors (Jeyasingham, 2008). They
find it difficult to convince the sponsors for being part of campaign.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, various aspects have been discovered in light of health promotion.
By focusing light on teenage pregnancies, the research has been conducted to know about sexual
health promotion in UK. With the help of this report study, the study has been made to explore
the various factors that contribute the promotion of sexual health. In a nutshell, the research
agenda helps to develop learning about various health promotion theories. Various initiatives that
are taken in UK for the making teenage people aware and acknowledge has been studied.
Significance of current knowledge on sexual health policies have been critically reviewed to
promote health promotion.

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