Emergency contraception demand at IFPA clinics shows 25% increase
And in the coming days the IFPA expects the demand for the service will increase even further as Christmas celebrations get into full swing.
“During the partying season people should think twice before engaging in casual, unprotected sex. They should use a condom,” said the IFPA’s chief executive Catherine Heaney.
“A condom should be used during casual sex even if another form of contraception is also being used, for example the pill.”
Meanwhile, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have undergone an alarming increase, according to most up-to-date figures, and yesterday the IFPA called on the Minister for Health Micheál Martin to launch a national awareness campaign.
Latest statistics show 8,869 cases were notified to the health authorities in 2000.
This represented an increase of 26.8% on the previous year’s figures.
Each Christmas the IFPA has been experiencing an increase in the number of clients seeking emergency contraception at clinics.
“Sexual health promotion is virtually absent from national politics,” Ms Heaney said yesterday.
This Christmas, the IFPA has launched a Christmas Safe Sex Message because, said Ms Heaney, “the levels of sexually transmitted infections continue to soar and crisis pregnancies are increasing, particularly among young women and teenagers”.
“While some work is being done at health board level to promote more responsible sexual behaviour, it is time the Minister for Health and his department took more responsibility for his work. National leadership on the issue is required to ensure the safe sex message reaches all the sexually active population.”
The use of condoms should be far more actively promoted to help reduce the instance of STIs.
With regard to teenagers, many had a lack of confidence using a condom, Ms Heaney said. The IFPA has advocated the use of price controls and State purchasing schemes to reduce the price of condoms.
Free condoms should be distributed at taxi ranks and at music and sporting events also, the association said.
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