Playin' It Safe

Sexual Health Week

14th-20th September 2009

Young people across Worcestershire are being encouraged to stay in control and not take risks with their sexual health whilst under the influence of alcohol, this Sexual Health Week (14th -20th September).

Research shows that 40% of sexually active 13-14-year-olds were drunk or stoned at first intercourse. Worcestershire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership and Worcestershire Chlamydia Screening Programme have distributed hundreds of leaflets, postcards, stickers and information packs to FE colleges, voluntary groups, medical centres, Connexions and youth centres across the county. The materials aim to encourage young people to wait until they are ready before having sex for the first time and to have safe sex when they do decide to.

The teams will also be visiting various fresher’s events across Worcestershire this week so keep your eyes peeled and grab yourself some freebies!

Sexual Health Week is the annual awareness raising campaign by fpa (formerly known as the Family Planning Association). This year the campaign has the theme of 'One too Many' and focuses on the risks associated with alcohol and sexual health.

Research shows that 40% of sexually active young people had not used contraception when having sex on at least one occasion because they were under the influence of alcohol.2 If they do decide to try to use a condom, being drunk means that they are more likely put them on incorrectly. This can cause condoms to break, burst or slip off during sex and put a young person at risk of unplanned pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Simon Rushall of Worcestershire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership, said: "Because alcohol lowers a person’s inhibitions, having just one drink can change someone's perception of a situation. Some young people may take more risks with their sexual behaviour if alcohol is involved – this includes having sex when they might otherwise not. It also means that they are less likely to use a condom when they do have sex.

"We will be advising all young people to make sure they are really ready before having first sex, and reminding sexually active young people to avoid risks by always using a condom, as it is the only safe form of protection against both unplanned pregnancies and STIs."

As well as making sure young people have all the information they need to make informed decisions about sexual health for themselves, it is hoped that the campaign will increase the number of young people who get tested for chlamydia. It is the most common STI in the UK for under 25s – 1 in 14 sexually active young people have chlamydia and most do not know as there are often no symptoms. If left untreated it can cause ectopic pregnancies, pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in both men and women.

To request a chlamydia self-test kit, click here ›