09 September 2008

Chlamydia can hide even when it is there

Sydney's Generation Y is being asked to check out their sexual health and relationships and get tested for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) during Sexual Health Week, 15-21 September 2008.

According to NSW Health’s Communicable Diseases Branch, between April 2006 and April 2007 there were 583 notifications of Chlamydia across the Southern Network of South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health (SESIH) and almost 80 per cent of these cases were found in those aged 15 to 29 years.

Chlamydia can affect young men and women, often has no symptoms, but left untreated can lead to pelvic inflammatory infection and infertility, a consequence young people don't necessarily think about.

Chlamydia is easy to prevent by using condoms and lube and it is also easy to test for and to treat and young people are encouraged to see a GP for a simple urine test.

According to SESIH sexual health specialist Professor Katharine Brown young people's sexual behaviour is changing. They are having sex earlier and with more partners, both short and long term, which can ultimately increase their risk of infection.

"Young people know about safe sex and condoms, but for many reasons are not consistent in their use. Often the sexual health priority is preventing pregnancy, so shifting one’s thinking to consider STI prevention is part of the challenge. Using condoms and lube with regular STI testing would need to become the norm," she said.

"Studies have shown that it is not uncommon for people to assess the sexual safety of their partners based on familiarity, trust and assumptions about their sexual behaviour. This makes it difficult to negotiate positive safe sex practices, as people make decisions because "they just know" their partner does not have an STI."

"It's important for young people to talk to their friends, family or their GP about sexual health and positive sexual relationships and to get informed about STIs ," Prof Brown said.

During Sexual Health Week 08 young people can attend:

• a trivia night at the North Wollongong Hotel and Unibar at University of Wollongong
• a sexual health education and skirmish day for Aboriginal Generation Y males in Nowra
• a treasure hunt across local sexual health, youth and medical centres arranged by Illawarra Youth Housing
• button workshops set up by Wollongong City Council Youth Services
• Southern Shoalhaven Youth Services to learn about safe choices and local services
• Southern Youth and Family Service’s Sex Education eXplained – Wot’s It All About event with information, education, a barbecue and trivia games for 12-24 year-old homeless and at-risk youth in Wollongong