18 September 2009

Get Tested, Play Safe for Sexual Health Week and beyond in the Illawarra

Sexual Health Week returned to South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service (SESIH) once again, reminding young people to think about their own sexual health, as well as their partner’s.

SESIH, with help from various local community organisations, targeted youth services across the Illawarra region, with a focus on Sexual Health Week which runs until 21 September.

Professor George Rubin, Director of Population Health and Planning, (SESIH) said rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), other than HIV, had risen sharply among 16-25 year olds in the South Eastern Sydney Illawarra region.

According to NSW Health’s Communicable Diseases Branch, gonorrhoea notifications amongst heterosexual women aged 16-25 in the South Eastern Sydney Illawarra region have increased from 8.7 per cent in 2000 to 25.5 per cent in 2008.

Chlamydia notifications in the South Eastern Sydney Illawarra region have increased from 338 cases in 2000, to 1370 cases in 2008. These increases are due in part to additional testing; however, they also indicate increased numbers of infection.

“STIs affect people’s health, wellbeing and relationships. If left untreated, STIs can lead to serious and painful health consequences, such as infertility.

“Many people who have an STI do not have any obvious symptoms or signs, particularly with Chlamydia, which often has no symptoms. It is very important young people get the facts about how STIs are spread, how to avoid infection, understand the risks if left untreated, and know what to do if they think they or their partner may have an STI,” Professor Rubin said.

A new State Government advertising campaign, Get Tested, Play Safe, has been developed through NSW Health to remind young people of the importance of regular testing for STIs, especially as the rate of Chlamydia notifications continues to rise.

“It is important that people with STIs are diagnosed early so they can receive proper treatment to avoid ongoing health problems, and to stop the infection from spreading both to them and to others. Fortunately, in most cases, a test for an STI is a simple urine sample and treatment is a short course of antibiotics.

“Sexual Health Week is a perfect time to raise awareness of sexual health issues amongst individuals, groups and communities within the Southern Eastern Sydney and Illawarra region, and to promote sexually healthy choices among young people,” Professor Rubin said.

After last's year successful campaign to educate the youth about the rise in young people diagnosed with Chlamydia, this year's Sexual Health Week campaign was designed to educate young people about all the different types of STIs and the testing and treatment for them.

To help promote the campaign in local areas, Sexual Health Week Community Grants of up to $1000 were awarded to local community organisations to spread the Get Tested, Play Safe message, by developing a sexual health activity within local youth services.

Out of a total of 38 community grant winners across NSW, seven community organisations in the Illawarra region were selected to receive a Sexual Health Week Community Grant. Some of the winning entries include:

• Ulladulla Youth Centre engaged year 10 students from the local high school by running education sessions and art workshops for the development of a local sexual health campaign.
• South Coast Women’s Health and Welfare Aboriginal Corporation at Nowra, in partnership with the South Coast Aboriginal Medical Service, arranged a day at the Berry Sport and Recreation Centre for up to 60 Aboriginal youth, both male and female. Providing sexual health education and resources, as well as a chance to get screened for Chlamydia.
• Shellharbour City Council Youth Services have developed a young men's program for year 9 boys from four local high schools. The program will involve education as well as artistic design to transform artwork onto boxer shorts or briefs.
• Wollongong Youth Centre and Mission Australia have organised the Hop On In Festival at the Wollongong Youth Centre on Saturday, 19 September, which showcases a range of sexual health information stalls, free advice from sexual health peer educators, laser squirmish and acoustic entertainment provided by local musicians.