Sexual Health
Data definitions, limitations & uses • Data Sources

The term "sexual health" is defined by the World Health Organization as: "the integration of the physical, emotional, intellectual and social aspects of sexual being, in ways that are positively enriching and that enhance personality, communication and love." Sexual health involves a capacity to enjoy and control sexual and reproductive behaviour in accordance with a social and personal ethic.
Sexual health is a major aspect of personal health. It affects people at all ages and stages of their lives. In recognition of this fact, health promotion programs in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark (LGL) now focus on enhancing sexual health and reducing sexual problems for various groups in our society. The goals of such programs are to help people achieve positive outcomes (e.g. self-esteem, respect for self and others, non-exploitive sexual satisfaction, rewarding human relationships, and the joy of desired parenthood) and to avoid negative outcomes (e.g. unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, sexual coercion, and sexual dysfunction).
Healthy sexual practices are becoming increasingly important, as unsafe behaviours may lead to consequences such as infertility or serious illnesses such as AIDS, or other sexually transmitted diseases. To prevent these negative consequences there are a number of safe-sex practices that are promoted. These include, routine use of condoms (especially in short-term relationships where the partner’s sexual history may be unknown) and having multiple partners.

High risk sexual behaviour
It appears that many people living in the combined regions of Leeds, Grenville and Lanark, Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, and Hastings and Prince Edward (LGL/KFLA/HPE) may be at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases as a result of their sexual behaviour. In 1996, 9% of men and 5% of women (15-59) were at high risk of sexually transmitted diseases by having 2 or more sexual partners in the past 12 months (see figure 1). Among these high risk residents, 30% did not use a condom the last time they had sex and only 48% of these women and 62% of these men always used a condoms in their last relationship lasting less than 12 months (see figure 2).
Compared to Ontario, local residents begin sexual relationship at younger ages. Eighty percent of males and 76% of females in LGL/KFLA/HPE, compared to 73% of males and 58% of females in Ontario first experience sexual intercourse before the age of 20 (see figure 3). Furthermore, a higher proportion of local young people (15-19) reported ever having sex. In Ontario, 41% of 15-19 year olds, reported ever having sex compared to 54% of 15-19 year olds in LGL/KFLA/HPE (see figure 4).
In Ontario, and in the combined regions of Leeds, Grenville and Lanark, Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, and Hastings and Prince Edward (LGL/KFLA/HPE), men appear to be at greater risk than women of having a negative sexual outcome. Men were twice as likely to have 2 or more partners in the past 12 months and they were also more likely to begin their sexual lives at younger ages. On the other hand, men were more likely to have always used a condom in their last relationship lasting less than 12 months.

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Data definitions, limitations & uses
Two or more sexual partners
Youth Sexual Activity
Condom use
Sexual intercourse before 20

Data Sources
Ontario Health Survey, 1996

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