Dublin: Ireland’s sexual health policy may be subject to recent changes. The government is considering the 32 recommendations of the Sexual Health Review Report, including the inclusion of the sexual well-being of people over 40 and transgenders.
Improvement of sexual health information, a care model of STI and sexual health service delivery, capacity building of HIV PrEP, and the expansion of the free contraceptive programme for women are considered.
Crowe Ireland Advisory has conducted an independent review and submitted a report in this regard. The report assessed that 49 of the 56 priorities aimed at NSHS have been successfully completed. There are 32 recommendations that can be considered for inclusion in the next strategy up to 2030. The Department of Health approved this review report. The report assesses that progress has been made in most of the areas targeted by the previous strategy.
The previous strategy, according to the report, was successful in preventing teenage exposure to pornography, helping individuals in practising safer sex, and reducing the prevalence of chemsex, which is a widespread concern in Ireland.
Considerations.
The report points out that the sexual health and well-being of the transgender community and the over-40s are currently underserved. Click-and-collect services for sexual health home testing kits should be expanded, and more options should be provided to send kits directly to those who need them.
Major challenges are related to menopause and erectile dysfunction. According to the report, there has been an increase in STIs among the elderly.
Bespoke sessional sexual health clinics can also be considered to effectively address the sexual needs of transgender people, the report said.
The report also concluded that HIV testing, STI services, and contraception should be maintained. Although these were included in the SHCPP implementation plan, the report assessed that there has not been sufficient progress. The National Bacterial STI Reference Laboratory should also be considered to distribute diagnostic resources.
The new strategy has been welcomed by HIV Ireland.
The new strategy has been welcomed by HIV Ireland. The organisation pointed out that this is a timely intervention given the rising rates of HIV and STIs in Ireland. According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, there has been a 91 per cent increase in the number of people living with HIV.
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