Sexual health is "a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled".[1]
Why is this important?
Sexual health impacts physical and mental health, social well-being and safety. Reproductive health or a women's health before and during pregnancy impacts whether or not she will have a healthy and safe birth, as well as the growth and development of her baby from birth, through infancy into childhood and on to adulthood.[2]
Sexual and reproductive health go far beyond preventing negative consequences such as sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies (both of which are important). Healthy sexuality is about education, information, skills, behaviours, attitudes and abilities that support positive sexual and reproductive health and experiences throughout a person's lifetime.[3]
Indicators
Sexually Transmitted Infection |
Measure: Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)STI prevalence is captured as part of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). Key FindingsMost people in Guelph, Wellington and Ontario have not had a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). Between 91% and 97% of residents age 15 to 49 years old reported never having a STI in 2007/2008 and 2013/2014.
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*** Wellington County does not include the City of Guelph in this table *Only people (age 15-49) who reported ever having sexual intercourse were asked this question Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). Statistics Canada, Annual Content (2007-2014), Ontario Share File distributed by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Prepared by: Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. Last updated March 2017. Why are Sexually Transmitted Infections Important?Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are bacteria, viruses and parasites that are passed from person-to-person primarily through sexual contact. Some STIs can be spread without sexual contact, for example through blood or blood products. There are over 30 different STIs.[4] Most STIs have no symptoms or mild symptoms. Some STIs have more serious consequences, for example herpes and syphilis can increase the risk of HIV[4]; high risk Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) can cause cancer[5]; and mother-to-child transmission of STIs can result in negative outcomes such as stillbirth, low-birth-weight and congenital deformities. For women, STIs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility.[4] LimitationsBecause this indicator relies on a diagnosis by a health professional, people with undiagnosed health problems will likely be excluded and the true prevalence will be underestimated.[7] STI prevalence may be underreported because most STIs have mild or no symptoms, therefore people may not seek medical attention.[4] Looking for more information?Please download the excel file below for:
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Teenage Pregnancy |
Measure: Teenage pregnancy rateTeenage pregnancy is the pregnancy of a woman who is between the ages of 15-19 years when her pregnancy ended.[8] The teen pregnancy rate is the number of pregnancies per 1,000 females ages 15 to 19 years old. Births, stillbirths and therapeutic abortions were included in the pregnancy rate. This measure does not include the total number of miscarriages. Females who became pregnant at the age of 19, but who delivered at the age of 20 were not included in the pregnancy, nor were pregnancies for females less than 15 years old. Pregnancy rates are recorded in intellihealth. Key FindingsFrom 2007 to 2017, the teen pregnancy rate in Guelph and Wellington decreased. In 2017, the pregancy rate was 6.2 pregnancies per 1000 females in Wellington County and 8.7 pregnacies per 1000 females in Guelph.
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*Wellington County does not include the City of Guelph Source: Inpatient Discharge Data (DAD, CIHI), MOHLTC, IntelliHealth Ontario, extracted Friday, October 26, 2018 11:11:35 AM EDT; Therapeutic Abortion Summary (DAD, NACRS−CIHI; OHIP Approved Claims Files, MOHLTC), MOHLTC, IntelliHealth Ontario, extracted Friday, October 26, 2018 11:11:35 AM EDT Adapted from data collected and analyzed by the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Coalition for Report Cards on the Well-Being of Children Why is Teenage Pregnancy Important?Teenage pregnancies bring health risks for teenage mothers and their babies. Teenage moms are more likely to have anemia, hypertension, renal disease, eclampsia and depressive disorders. Babies are more likely to have low-birth rate and battle with the corresponding health problems. There are also financial consequences to having children in teenage years. Pregnancy in the teenage years can impact educational attainment and future job prospects. Teenage mothers are more likely to be single and trying to make ends meet with a single income.[8] LimitationsThe teenage pregnancy rate does not include miscarriages or females who became pregnant at age 19 and delivered at age 20. Although uncommon, pregnancies that happen before the age of 15 are also not included in this measure. Looking for more information?For more information about this measure, please download the excel file below or go to the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Report Cards on the Wellbeing of Children website.
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Notes
The Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) is a cross-sectional survey that collects information related to health status health care utilization and health determinants for the Canadian population. The CCHS uses probability sampling and is conducted annually by Statistics Canada.
In probability sampling, each person in the sample represents (besides themselves) several other persons in the sample. A sample weight is calculated based on the number of people that that person represents within the population. For example, in a random sample of 1% of the population, each person in the sample would represent 100 persons in the population.[6]
Intellihealth is a database that stores clinical and administrative information gathered from health service providers and partners[9]
References
[1] World Health Organization (2016). Sexual and reproductive health. Available at: http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/sexual_health/sh_definitions/en/
[2] Horan, M. & Trotz-Williams, L. (2013). Reproductive Health in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph. Available at: https://www.wdgpublichealth.ca/sites/default/files/wdgphfiles/reproductive-health-status-report-2013.pdf
[3] Public Health Agency of Canada (2011). The Chief Public Health Officer's Report on the State of Public Health in Canada: Chapter 4: Creating Healthy Transitions. Available at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cphorsphc-respcacsp/2011/cphorsphc-respcacsp-07-eng.php#Sex
[4] World Health Organization (2017). Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Available at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs110/en/
[5] Canadian Cancer Society (2017). HPV. Available at: http://www.cancer.ca/en/prevention-and-screening/be-aware/viruses-and-bacteria/human-papillomavirus-hpv/?region=on
[6] Statistics Canada (2015). Canadian Community Health Survey - Annual Component (CCHS). Available at: http://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p2SV.pl?Function=getSurvey&SDDS=3226
[7] Haydon E, Roerecke M, Giesbrecht N, Rehm J, Kobus-Matthews M. (2006). Chronic disease in Ontario and Canada: Determinants, Risk Factors and Prevention Priorities. Toronto: Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Association. Available at: http://www.ocdpa.on.ca/docs/CDP-FullReport-Mar06.pdf.
[8] Dryburgh, H (n.d.) Teenage Pregnancy. Health Reports 12(1) Available at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/2000001/article/5299-eng.pdf
[9] Intellihealth Ontario (2015). Welcome to Intellihealth. Available at: https://intellihealth.moh.gov.on.ca