Public Health Nurses Back In The High School

In 1997, the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit carried out a Student Health Survey at four tri-county high schools. Of the students surveyed, 34-48% reported that they had experienced sexual intercourse.

In response to these findings, Public Health Nurses began regular student consultation hours in 11 schools in the tri-county. A tracking system was developed to ensure that the majority of nursing time was spent to reduce the student pregnancy rate.

From September to December 1999, Public Health Nurses had been involved in 274 student health consultations. Sixty-seven percent of these consultations were related to contraception, pregnancy or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)/Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Another 12% dealt with stress, relationships or mental health.