Reviewer: Mary Ann K. Osuchowski-Sanc, RN, MSN, CNP (New Mexico Department of Health)
Description: This book provides an overview of the sexual health of adolescents in the United Kingdom. It covers basic information on development, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, overall sexual health, and ideas for developing youth centered clinics.
Purpose: The author proposes to provide information, from a pediatric nursing perspective, regarding the process of setting up clinics for youth. The information is based upon the author's experience with marginalized youth in the U.K. and the outreach activities undertaken to improve healthcare in this population. The objectives are worthy and the book may prove quite useful for healthcare providers initiating work with adolescents in the U.K. The book meets the author's objectives, but it appears to have limited utility to those healthcare providers residing outside of the United Kingdom.
Audience: According to the author, this book was written for healthcare providers interested in working to improve the sexual health of youth. The information is quite basic and may serve as an introduction for those providers residing in the U.K. However, its usefulness as a reference for healthcare providers experienced in work with youth is questionable. The credibility of the author appears acceptable; she has augmented her thoughts with current literature in the area of adolescent sexual health.
Features: This book covers basic development and definitions of adolescence, communication and trust building with youth, legal issues when working with youth (specific to those residing in the U.K.), teen pregnancy statistics and consequences, contraception (with illustrations), sexually transmitted diseases, difficulties in work with marginalized youth, and ideas for setting up youth clinics. This book is especially comprehensive in presenting legal and procedural specifications for youth in the U.K. Several appendixes clarify specific educational curricula and health screening procedures as well as provide examples of sample policies for use in youth clinics. This book provides much useful and specific information for healthcare providers working in the U.K., but its utility for those providers in other areas is quite limited. Not covered in the chapter devoted to contraception is the Nuva Ring as a contraceptive option.
Assessment: This book is a nice introduction to working with youth in the U.K., but further use is limited. Providers practicing in the United States may find this book an interesting read, but not a source of ongoing reference. More comprehensive books, such as Hatcher, et al., Contraceptive Technology, 18th edition (Ardent Media, 2004), and Curtis and Hopkins, Glass's Office Gynecology, 5th edition (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999) cover much of the same information regarding healthcare of youth, although they are nonspecific to geographic location, making them great references that will be consulted repeatedly.
