Sexual Health
We have been on the advisory group responsible for developing the current immunisation campaign against the cancer-causing Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Access to good information and quality health care are important aspects of maintaining good sexual health. Young New Zealanders suffer from high rates of sexually transmitted infections. This has consequences for their fertility and for their long term health.
On this page:
HPV immunisation programme
A programme to immunise girls against the cancer-causing HPV started in September 2008 and is free to all girls born from 1990 onwards.
The programme is currently available through schools for girls in Years 8-13. Girls who have left school can have the vaccination free at their local GP clinic or health centre.
After 2010, the vaccine will be offered each year to Year 8 girls (aged 12-14 years), mostly through nurses in schools.
The vaccine is the most effective if administered before girls become sexually active.
Sexual activity
Twenty per cent of young New Zealanders have had sexual intercourse by age 13, and 54 per cent by age 17.
Forty per cent of 17 year-old secondary school students say they are currently sexually active (Youth 07 survey data).
Despite the fact that 72 per cent of those who are sexually active report using condoms “most of the time”, and 80 per cent say they use contraception “all or most of the time” young New Zealanders have high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and abortions.
Sexually transmitted infections
The STIs most frequently diagnosed in New Zealand are chlamydia, genital warts, NSU in men, genital herpes and gonorrhoea.
Chlamydia is the most frequently diagnosed STI, and the most insidious. It has no obvious symptoms in many cases and often goes undiagnosed. It is highly infectious. Untreated, it can cause infertility among women. Young people in the 15-24 age group have significantly higher rates of Chlamydia and other STIs than other age groups.
Condom use
Condoms are the primary protection against sexually transmitted infections. Of the young people who reported being sexually active in the Youth 07 survey, 45 per cent had discussed preventing STIs.
Seventy-two per cent of students reported using condoms as a protection against STIs “most or all the time”. However only 64 per cent had used a condom the last time they had had sex.
