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International Journal of STD & AIDS

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Int J STD AIDS 2008;19:236-240
doi:10.1258/ijsa.2007.007130
© 2008 Royal Society of Medicine Press

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Original research articles

The law concerning teenage sex: do we understand it?

Kilian P Dunphy MA MRCGP * {dagger} {ddagger} 

* West Hertfordshire Sexual Health Directorate, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust; {dagger} Watford Sexual Health Centre, Watford General Hospital, Hertfordshire; {ddagger} Waverley Wing, St Albans City Hospital, St Albans, UK

Correspondence to: Dr Kilian P Dunphy, Watford Sexual Health Centre, Watford General Hospital, Vicarage Road, Watford, Herts WD18 0HB, UK Email: kilian.dunphy{at}whht.nhs.uk

Recent child protection reports and changes in sexual offences laws in England and Wales have altered the ethical and legal landscape for health professionals working with sexually active young people. This study aimed to identify the educational needs of a sample of those professionals. A true/false questionnaire was developed comprising statements concerning sexual activity in young people. We sent it to a sample of Family Planning staff, genitourinary (GU) medicine nurses and doctors in 102 Family Planning and 261 GU-medicine clinics throughout England and Wales. A total of 168 completed questionnaires were returned. The range of correct responses for the whole group was between 2 and 10 out of 10, with a median of 6. We identified some misunderstanding concerning the term ‘Fraser’ competence and the legal basis on which contraception can be provided to under 16-year olds, as well as some lack of awareness concerning present advice on child protection. In free text responses, many people volunteered educational needs.

Key Words: ethics-medical • sexual behaviour • adolescent behaviour • child welfare • sex offences


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