Editorial

The enormity of sexual ill health was made obvious to the House of Commons Health Select Committee during their enquiry. The appearance was ugly and they concluded, “sexual health service is a shambles.” Among the several recommendations made were - to make more money available and to expand the number of specialists in this field. If this is the situation in a developed country, what can one say about developing nations?

In response to the National Sexual Health Strategy, a needs assessment exercise was done on Teesside and north Yorkshire and the findings are reported by Tayal et al. It is better to diagnose HIV infection early rather than later. The consequences of a late presentation is shown in the case report by Habib et al. Pregnancy is a time filled with anxieties and expectations. The expectant mothers are given various pieces of advice - solicited and unsolicited. Cultural attitudes and beliefs affect sexual behaviour during pregnancy. Isawumi et al report on their findings in Osogbo, Nigeria. The period known as puberty has its pitfalls for the person, the parents and the paediatrician. Kibirige in his paper has pointed out what we need to watch out for in order to have a more fulfilling period of puberty. The use or non-use of HRT continues to be controversial. Out of all these minefields of claims and counterclaims, it is clear that “one size does not fit all”. Each patient has to be thoroughly evaluated.

As usual, searchlight sheds light on various aspects of sexual and reproductive health. The efforts of the referees and all those who have contributed to the production of this volume 4 is much appreciated.

Abayomi Opaneye
Editor –in- Chief.

©2002 Sexual Health Matters. Published Quarterly by Express Print Works, Middlesbrough, UK
ISSN 1469-7556
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