Investigating sexual health services for young people in Stockton-on-Tees: a participatory approach

Abstract

The project design aimed to recruit a number of young people in the Stockton-on-Tees area to research the sexual health services in whatever manner they wished to. The remit was purposefully broad so as to allow the young people involved as much autonomy and choice as possible. Participatory methods were the theoretical base, in order for young people to assess the sexual health services in the area in which ever way they felt was most appropriate. As a result of this research wider theoretical issues were addressed. The position of youth in research, society and in relation to sexual health is addressed, the marginalised situation of young people discussed and the way that social trends have radically altered the nature of youth in Britain today. The nature of participatory research, especially in relation to its use within a large bureaucratic institution, and including young people in relation to sexual health. The problems and issues that came out during the research period are explored and discussed in relation to the literature and the experience of a number of the young researchers. This research was successful in recruiting young men and made a large number of practical suggestions to improve the sexual health services in Stockton for young people.