Data introduction

The topics covered in this section of the website are:

• Sexually transmitted infections
• High risk groups
• Long Acting Reversible Contraception
• Sexual wellbeing

Information on the sexual health of the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) population in Scotland can be found within the ScotPHO sexual minorities section.  At present, data on gender identity are not routinely collected or reported within the above sources and so it is not currently possible to present information on sexual health outcomes among people of different gender identities (e.g. cisgender, trans and nonbinary populations) within Scotland.

The data on all specialist sexual health services in Scotland, including routine sexually transmitted infection (STI) and contraception services, can be found on National Sexual Health System (NaSH). This excludes primary care and hospital-based HIV clinics managed by acute sector. For more data on sexual health  (including teen pregnancy) see the Public Health Scotland website.  

The data on the following pages are mainly derived from:

• Public Health Scotland (PHS) Long Acting Reversible Methods of Contraception in Scotland year ending 31 March 2024.
•  Public Health Scotland (PHS) STI surveillance reports.
• The 3rd National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (NATSAL-3) Scotland report.

Please note that throughout these sections we have adopted terminology used within the data sources (e.g. women and men vs females and males).