Teenage sexual health crisis feared

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The increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and high levels of teenage pregnancy in the UK are "disturbing" and there is "no doubt" alcohol and drugs enhance sexual activity, it said.

The Independent Advisory Group (IAG) on Sexual Health and HIV, which published the report, called for more action to deal with the crisis facing Britain's teenagers.

It said young people are exposed to conflicting messages, with "explicit or subliminal" advertising and coverage of "celebrity" behaviour being prevalent, while other information - such as advertising for condoms - is restricted.

The report said young people engaging in risky sexual behaviour are at greater risk of contracting an STI, becoming young parents, failing at school, building up longer-term physical and mental health problems and becoming addicted to alcohol and drugs.

A recent Unicef report put the UK at the bottom of a table of 21 countries for children's well-being.

It found that more children in the UK have had sexual intercourse by the age of 15 than in any other country, more have been drunk twice or more times aged 11, 13 and 15 than in any other country, and they are the third-biggest users of cannabis.

Professor Mark Bellis, head of the centre for public health at Liverpool John Moores University, said the link between alcohol, drugs and risky sexual behaviour was "fuel for a sexual health crisis".

Health Minister Caroline Flint said the Government would be examining the report.

She added: "We are continually looking at new ways of working to ensure a joined-up approach that places the individuals, in this case young people, at the heart of the work we are doing."