Sexual health

Community and Public Health promote healthy relationships, positive sexual and reproductive health, and responsible sexual behaviour.

Our aim to reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. We also aim to reduce levels of sexual violence in our communities and levels of stigma towards sexual minorities.

New Zealand has high rates of STIs and unintended pregnancies compared to other countries. Chlamydia rates are especially high among young people aged 15 to 24 years and gonorrhoea rates are also high in some areas. Syphilis rates are steadily increasing. The highest rates are still among men who have sex with men (MSM) but rates are also increasing in heterosexual men and women. HIV rates are still rising, especially among MSM.

However there has been a significant drop in genital warts cases since the introduction of the HPV vaccine – now available free for boys as well as girls. Abortion rates among teenage girls have also dropped dramatically – likely due to increased education and the emphasis placed on the use of contraception.

Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is available to now available in Christchurch to people who are at high risk of becoming infected with HIV. Contact the Christchurch Sexual Health Centre for further information.

Our key messages are:

• Healthy relationships are the key to good sexual health – respect yourself and your partner.
• Delay your first sexual experience until you are sure you are ready.
• Use condoms and lube every time – lube makes condoms less likely to break and increases pleasure.
• Reach out for help if you are being pressured to have sex – your body, your decision.
• Limit numbers of sexual partners.
• Use reliable contraception unless you want a baby now.
• Protect your whakapapa (family tree) – untreated STIs can cause infertility.
• Have regular sexual health check ups –some STIs have no symptoms.
• Drinking alcohol can affect the decisions you make, including around sex.

Staff at Community and Public Health provide the following services:

• Sexual and reproductive health information to the public.
• Distribution of condoms and lubricants.
• Seminars to update and inform those working in the area of sexual health especially with youth. Contact Diane Shannon at the Christchurch office for more information (+64 3 378 6755).
• Support the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community through the Pink Health Ōtautahi project.
• Contact tracing for Sexually Transmitted Infections.
• Handle requests for information and complaints around the Prostitution Reform Act.
• Produce a sexual health newsletter twice a year.

• Read information on the Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP).
• Read information on pornography.
• Download the latest or previous issues of the CDHB Sexual Health Newsletter.

Documents

• Country Progress Report New Zealand (HIV/AIDS) 2014 (Ministry of Health 2015)
• Gender Reassignment Health Services for Trans People within New Zealand (Ministry of Health 2011)
• Treat Yourself Right: Information for Women living with HIV or AIDS (Positive Women 2009)
• HIV A New Diagnosis (Positive Women 2009)
• Chlamydia Management Guidelines (Ministry of Health 2008)
• HIV/AIDS Action Plan: Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy 2003 (Ministry of Health 2003)
• AIDS – New Zealand Biannual Update (University of Otago Medical School)
• Sexually Transmitted Infections in New Zealand: Annual Surveillance Reports (ESR)

Downloads

Download or order resources from the Community Health Information Centre.

• Being Safer Sexually
• Chlamydia Information Guide
• What is Gonorrhoea?
• Should I have a Sexual Health Check?
• Preventing HIV Infection
• Pink Pages

Links

• Just the Facts about Sexual Health and STIs (Ministry of Health)
• Ministry of Health
• NZ AIDS Foundation
• Positive Women
• Family Planning
• Youthline
• Rainbow Youth
• GayNZ.com
• NZ Prostitutes Collective
  
• Hepatitis C Resource Centre
• The Rodger Wright Centre
• Reality and Risk: Pornography, young people and sexuality (Australia)