Publication
Indicators for health education in Scotland; summary of findings from the 1996 Health Education Population Survey (HEPS)
Sexual health
At present, the primary aims of sexual health education are to prevent thespread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and to preventunwanted pregnancy. HEBS is currently developing a strategic statement to guidefuture action in this area.
Knowledge indicator: Knowledge levels among people aged 16-74 regardingmodes of HIV transmission. |
Respondents were asked to classify a number of possible types of contactinto four risk categories: high, moderate, low and no risk. A risk score wasthen assigned with high risk scoring 100 and no risk scoring 0.Awareness of the principal modes of transmission was high, and scores for themain risk factors are shown in Figure 13.
Figure 13: Mean risk scores for HIV transmission risk factors
| Risk factor |
Mean score |
| Sharing needles |
98 |
| Sex between men without a condom |
94 |
| Sex without a condom |
91 |
| Maternal transmission before birth |
88 |
| Contact with blood |
84 |
Motivation indicator: The proportion of people aged 16-74 who claim that
|
Most respondents (66%) agreed with the statement that they would not havesex with a new partner without a condom. One third agreed that buying condomswas an embarrassing experience. However, 26% and 27% of respondents said thesestatements were not applicable to them.
Skills indicator: The proportion of people aged 16-74 who would likeinformation on
|
The proportions of respondents wanting more information on each topic areshown in Figure 14.
Figure 14: Percentage of respondents wanting information on sexual health topics
| Topic |
% |
| STDs |
40 |
| Having an HIV test |
25 |
| HIV/AIDS transmission |
21 |
| How to have a satisfying sex life |
19 |
| Emergency contraception |
19 |
| Abortion |
15 |
| Safer sex |
7 |
| Contraception |
7 |
Behaviour indicator : The proportion of people aged 16-74 who have changedtheir sexual behaviour because of concern about HIV/AIDS. |
Thirteen percent of respondents said they had changed their behaviour due toconcern about the risks of HIV/AIDS.