Contraception Education: Downloads

Teenage pregnancy is still high in English speaking countries and recent research illustrates an increasing number of complex variables contributing to this current situation, including social class, poverty and other social disadvantages (Tripp 2001). In English speaking countries confusing messages from different sources are presented to teenagers. On the one hand teenagers are surrounded by images of sexuality through the mass media, yet on the other hand there is no encouragement for teenagers to discuss sex openly with parents or carers in the home, or with teachers at school.
By contrast, teenagers in countries like Sweden and the Netherlands are encouraged to talk about sex and their relationships and are encouraged to consider sex as part of a loving relationship. Swedish teens do begin to have sexual relationships earlier and more often than in many other countries, yet seldom get pregnant. (Jones et al 1993). Teenagers in the Netherlands tend to delay sexual intercourse until a little later that teenagers in the UK (DoH 1999).
The Netherlands is often cited as having the lowest teenage pregnancy and abortion rates in the world, even lower than Sweden Van Lunsen (2000) ,however, purports that counselling and education, not medical interventions, are what has made the difference. He attributed the level of teenage pregnancy in the Netherlands to four principal factors: liberal sexual attitudes, excellent sex education, free supplies of contraceptives, and legal abortion.
In surveys of young women three considerations were found to be important: non-judgmental attitudes, confidentiality, and a non-medicalised approach. Furthermore Cromer and McCarthy (1999) propose that in the Netherlands adolescents are recognised as sexual beings, are provided with relevant information and services in an appropriate manner and respond accordingly. The first visit to family planning is exclusively devoted to counselling, education and provision of contraceptives, there has been a move away from medicalised pelvic examination, there is no mandatory follow-up and services are easily accessible and free.
In the UK, in contrast some emphasis is currently being placed on sex and relationships education. (DfEE 2000) This guidance recommends that schools work in partnership with parents and the wider community to help young people develop the confidence in talking, listening and thinking about sex and relationships. Authoritative approaches such as APAUSE are gaining popularity around the country, and the element of peer education is also now viewed as a significant contribution to this work. One very important part of the APAUSE programme is to help young people to understand that it is not the norm to have had sexual intercourse by school-leaving age, and that it is all right to have made an informed decision to wait to have sexual intercourse. Even though sexual activity may be presented as the virtual norm, the percentage of young people who actually report having sex suggests that it is not.
Assertiveness and confidence building are also clearly recognised as pivotal to excellent Sex and Relationships Education. Current resources in SRE, like Contraception: the Board Game, are beginning to focus more on this element, and in helping young people to develop skills in expressing their needs and declining unwanted pressure.

Transmitting information is only one strand, and is often best received by those who need it least. Sustained and collaborative working towards a levelling of structural inequalities and the implementation of programmes helping young people improve their quality of life, such as Sure Start/Plus may be significantly more fruitful.

Diverse Communities: Identity and Teenage Pregnancy highlights a further consideration not to be overlooked - the significance of culture.

Cromer B.A. (1999), McCarthy M. Family planning services in adolescent pregnancy prevention: the views of key informants in four countries. Fam Plann Perspect.;31:287-293
DfEE (2000) Sex and Relationship Guidance. DfEE Publications. Nottingham DoH (1999) Teenage Pregnancy. Social Exclusion Unit.
Jones E.F, Forest J.D, Henshaw S.K, Silverman J, Torres A. (1993) Pregnancy, contraception, and family planning services in industrialised countries. New Haven: Yale University Press;.
Tripp, J (2001)www.ex.ac.uk/pgms/apause.htm
Further evidence - Van Lunsen R.H.W. (2000) Contraceptive counselling: a matter of attitudes. Int J Gynecol Obstet.;FC1.05.09, page 23.

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RESOURCES:Factors Influencing Teenage Sexual Health