A combination of a self‐administered survey questionnaire, focus group discussions and one‐to‐one interviews was found to be most suitable for the collection of sensitive data on sexuality in a country where the social and moral climate had previously prevented studies of this nature. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, it targeted young people aged 14–25. This paper is based on data from the first ever major research project in this field in Northern Ireland. Yet there has been little research conducted on sexual attitudes and lifestyles.
The sexual health of people, particularly young people, in Northern Ireland is currently poor.
