Young males reluctant to use sexual health services
Cathy Wallace
Monday, May 12, 2008
Just one fifth of young people using Brook's sexual health services are male.
The findings were part of a survey by the sexual health charity, released today at the start of National Condom Week. Brook found many boys and young men were unaware of sexual health services so is now urging the services to be more welcoming to males.
The research, Through the Eyes of Young Men, found boys were less interested in sexual health than girls because they feared asking for help could be seen as a sign of weakness. Other reasons included being embarrassed or thinking the services were just for girls.
Of those young men who used Brook's services, more than half used it for contraception, while 10 per cent went with a girlfriend to support her getting contraception.
Simon Blake, chief executive of Brook, said: "We can improve sexual health services for young men by promoting and improving access to services, using outreach programmes to go to the places where young men are and involving those who use the service in support of someone else."
The research, Through the Eyes of Young Men, found boys were less interested in sexual health than girls because they feared asking for help could be seen as a sign of weakness. Other reasons included being embarrassed or thinking the services were just for girls.
Of those young men who used Brook's services, more than half used it for contraception, while 10 per cent went with a girlfriend to support her getting contraception.
Simon Blake, chief executive of Brook, said: "We can improve sexual health services for young men by promoting and improving access to services, using outreach programmes to go to the places where young men are and involving those who use the service in support of someone else."
