Sexual Health

Sexual health is defined by WHO as encompassing sexual orientation and gender identity, sexual expression, relationships, and pleasure. They also include negative consequences or conditions such as:

Infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and their adverse outcomes (such as cancer and infertility)
Unintended pregnancy and abortion
Sexual dysfunction
Sexual violence
Harmful practices (such as female genital mutilation, FGM)

A sexual health and contraception health needs assessment for Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire was published in 2022.

Overall the report found that diagnosed sexually transmitted infections in Bedford Borough declined from 2019 to 2020 and in particular the chlamydia detection rate and percentage of 15-24 screened, declined sharply. Reasons for this are likely to be a combination of a change in sexual behaviour due to lockdowns and a decline in service use meaning fewer STIs are being detected. An exception to this was the rate of gonorrhoea in Bedford Borough, which increased very slightly over the period. Further demographic analysis revealed a clear pattern of higher new STI diagnosis rates among poorer groups and those from black ethnic groups.

You can download the report below.