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A new "men only clinic" is to open in Clackmannanshire. It will offer free condoms, sexual health advice, and testing and treatment for some sexually-transmitted infections.
The service, provided by NHS Forth Valley, will be available on Wednesday afternoons when the new community healthcare centre opens early next year in Sauchie.
Scotland's sexual health record is not good and Clackmannanshire has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the country. Latest figures show that in the l5-19 year old age group the pregnancy rate is 64 per thousand which is well above the Scottish average. This rate is the fifth highest amongst local authorities in Scotland.
NHS Forth Valley lead clinician for sexual health, Dr Chris Kelt said: "Men are a hard to reach group for all the usual reasons. They are particularly reluctant to seek advice on sexual matters. Chlamydia for example, is increasing in men aged 20-25 but eight out of ten men and women are unaware they have the infection. Men also face sensitive issues such as erectile dysfunction, which they are often too embarrassed to seek help about."
Staff at the new clinic will include a specialist nurse and a health adviser who can assist with contacting partners to help curb the spread of any infection. In some cases men will be referred for further treatment.
Dr Kelt added: "We are very aware of the need to provide confidential services. We have our own record system and no information is shared outside the sexual health team without a client's permission. Young people under l6 are also offered confidentiality unless their circumstances give rise to serious concern in terms of child protection."
The new men only clinic will be in addition to the current evening clinic in Clackmannanshire which is attended by men, women and young people. Formerly known as the family planning clinic it now comes under the banner of sexual health. In addition to contraception, it deals with wider issues such as sexually transmitted infections.
The service has been so popular that when it moves to the new community healthcare centre drop-in numbers will be limited and more appointments offered.
The evening clinic also attracts many under-l8's, who seek advice on pregnancy, sexually-transmitted infections and other worries. Dr Kelt says this age group is at particular risk and it is important to help them make healthy and responsible choices. To this end, NHS Forth Valley is liaising with youth and community workers to provide more accessible services, together with web-based information.
NHS Forth Valley is also working hard to make sexual health services acceptable to all groups, including lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people.