Useful resources
This learning area has been compiled from a range of evidence. You may now be motivated to go deeper into the topic so a range of different resources are listed below and wherever possible we have tried to create direct links to them. Where direct linking is not possible we provide information on where sources can be accessed. These listings will get you started and as a lifelong learner you will be able to identify other sources beyond these that are specifically relevant to you.
If you find other useful material then perhaps you could share this by providing the details, or even writing a review and submitting this to learning.zone@rcn.org.uk where we will consider it for addition to the site.
If you don't find what you want in the list then good starting points for further exploration are the RCN Library Catalogue for books or the BNI (British Nursing Index) database for journals.
Books/Reports
Links to the catalogue for the books and full text versions of the journal articles are available to RCN members via the e-Library. Select the following link to login and gain direct access to these links: RCN members.
Barlow D (2011) Sexually transmitted infections: the facts, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Available online for RCN members.
Belfield T, Matthews P and Moss C (2011) The handbook of sexual health in primary care (third edition), London: FPA.
Available to borrow from the RCN UK library for RCN members.
French K (editor) (2009) Sexual health, Chichester: Blackwell.
Rogstad K (2011) ABC of sexually transmitted infection, Chichester: BMJ Books.
Royal College of Physicians of London (2011) Alcohol and sex: a cocktail for poor sexual health (PDF 604KB), London: RCP.
Serrant-Green L and McLuskey J (2008) The sexual health of men, Abingdon: Radcliffe.
Journal articles
Briggs P (2010) Strategies for discussing sex with teenagers, Practice Nursing, 21 (2), February, pp.71-75.
Evans D and Stapley L (2010) Sexual health issues in men, part 1, Practice Nurse, 40 (5), September, pp.30-33.
Evans D and Stapley L (2010) Sexual health issues in men, part 2, Practice Nurse, 40 (6), October, pp.33-36.
Peate I (2012) Sexually transmitted infections in older people: the community nurse's role, British Journal of Community Nursing, 17 (3), March, pp.112-118.
Peate I (2011) Managing sexually transmitted infections, Practice Nursing, 22 (6), June, pp.285-290.
Ripley V (2011) Promoting sexual health in women who have sex with women, Nursing Standard, 25 (51), 24 August, pp.41-46.
Saunamaki N, Andersson M and Engstrom M (2010) Discussing sexuality with patients: nurses' attitudes and beliefs, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 66 (6), June, pp.1308-1316.
Lowry J (2010) Raising awareness of the risk of sexually transmitted infection among overseas travelers, Nursing Times, March,106 (8), pp.20-22. (Not available as an e-journal article – request photocopies from UK library).
Websites
BBC Health: Sexual health
British Pregnancy Advisory Service - BPAS
Family Planning Association - FPA
Marie Stopes International - MSI
Rape Crisis (England and Wales)
Rape Crisis (Scotland)
Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre (Northern Ireland)
Crisis Point - your nearest SARC in England and Wales
NHS Choices - for a wide selection of sexual health topics on STIs; men's sexual health; sexual health for gay/lesbian/bisexual people; young people; and older people.
The Site: Sex and disability
England - chlamydia testing and cervical cancer screening
Scotland - chlamydia testing and cervical cancer screening
Wales - chlamydia testing and cervical cancer screening
Northern Ireland - chlamydia testing (PDF 283KB) and cervical cancer screening
RCN publications and resources
Royal College of Nursing (2009) Sexual health competencies: an integrated career and competency framework for sexual and reproductive health nursing across the UK (PDF 987KB), London: RCN.
RCN website: Nursing practice issues - Principles of Nursing Practice