1. What is the current picture of Sexual Health Advising?
Michael Clarke
Senior Health Adviser
Unity Sexual Health September 2018

2. Background
As the role of SHA has changed in recent years in response to the reconfiguration of sexual health services, including the integration of Contraception and Sexual Health (CaSH) and Genitourinary Medicine (GUM).
The Society of Sexual Health Advisers (SSHA) undertook a national survey to establish the impact of these changes.

3. Method Practitioners conducting Sexual Health Advising were contacted through the SSHA and BASHH mailing list and the SSHA website between 18/08/2017 and 03/11/2017. They were asked to complete a questionnaire via Survey Monkey on the current picture of Sexual Health Advising. Questions were both quantitative and qualitative, including (job title, role, setting) and perceived importance of the SHA role.

4. Results
Of 289 respondents, 231 (80%) had ‘Health Adviser’ in their job title, of whom (82/231; 36%) had dual nurse/ health adviser roles.
Services covered included Sexual Health (272/280; 97%); HIV (148/280; 53%) and Contraception (141/280; 50%).

5. What is your job title? (289 responses)
Sexual Health Adviser
101
35%
Senior/Lead Sexual Health Adviser 48
17%
Nurse/Sexual Health Adviser 44
15%
Nurse (with Sexual Health Adviser role) 38
13%
Nurse 19 6%
Senior/Lead Nurse/Matron 11 4%
Specialist Nurse/Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Other ………. 17
What is your job title? (289 responses)

6. Reported duties included:
Partner Notification (PN) (270/287; 94%);
Management of positive results (248/287; 86%);
Management of administration and recall systems for positive results (238/287; 83%);
Safeguarding (251/287; 87%);
Motivational Interviewing (222/287; 77%);
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) (211/287; 73%);
Drug and alcohol interventions (183/287; 64%).

7. What are your regular duties in your role? (287 Responses)
Partner Notification
270
Safeguarding
251
Managing Positive results – treatment
248
Manging Positive BBV results
240
Provider Referral
239
Managing Positive results – admin and recall
238
Counselling/Support
224
Motivational interviewing
222
What are your regular duties in your role? (287 Responses)

8. What are your regular duties in your role? (287 Responses)

9. Perceptions of the importance of Sexual Health Advising included:
the contribution of PN and prevention
to good public health;
information and emotional support for the patient;
management of complex and vulnerable patients;
and giving good quality, holistic patient care.

10. Sexual Health Advising is important because ……………
it provides a safe and expert service for patients requiring support and intervention regarding their sexual health and the sexual health of their sexual contacts - it is an evidence based cost effective mechanism for preventing onward transmission on STIs including HIV

11. Sexual Health Advising is important because ……………
it is an integral part of any modern Sexual Health Service that wishes to provide the best holistic quality of care to patients in regards to their Sexual Health

12. Sexual Health Advising is important because ……………
it has benefits of wider public health in terms of infection control and for individuals in terms helping people have safe sex that leaves them feeling good, rather than sex that leaves them feeling bad!

13. What is the current picture of Sexual Health Advising
What is the current picture of Sexual Health Advising? Public Health Role
Michael Clarke
Senior Health Adviser
Unity Sexual Health September 2018