The Terence Higgins Trust
(THT) is a
UK charity that provides advice and support
about HIV and sexual health more generally.
THT has a lot
of experience of working
with all
kinds
of young people.
Visit their website for advice about safe
sex
and sexual health.
NHS Barking and Dagenham and HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins
Trust (THT) have achieved a national target by encouraging over 17% of under-25s
in the region to test for the sexually transmitted infection (STI) chlamydia.
To tackle chlamydia in the area, more young people need to come forward for
testing and continue testing on a regular basis – the target for 2009/2010
is 25%.
To combat increasing rates of undiagnosed chlamydia, the Government established
the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) in England, setting a yearly
national target for young people to come forward for testing. The NCSP is aimed
at young people under 25, a group in which approximately one in ten currently
has undiagnosed chlamydia. Part of the reason chlamydia is so widespread is
that most people with the infection have no symptoms, and it only takes one
sexual encounter to pass it on. If left untreated it can lead to serious health
problems, including infertility.
THT worked closely with NHS Barking and Dagenham to achieve the 2008/2009 target
of 17%, using a series of initiatives including focused outreach work at schools,
colleges, and youth groups. As a result of the programme, 28% of young people
in the region have been encouraged to take a test, and those who tested positive
were treated with antibiotics.
Adam Wilkinson, THT’s Regional Delivery Manager for London, said:
“We’re pleased to have encouraged so many young people in
Barking & Dagenham to take a chlamydia test. This is a great start on
bringing infection rates down in the region, but we still need more people
to come forward if we’re to significantly reduce undiagnosed chlamydia.
A lot of young people assume that taking an STI test is painful or embarrassing,
but these days it can all be done through a urine sample, with the results
in a week. We hope that, by showing young people how easy it is, they will
not only be encouraged to come back for repeat testing each year, but will
also encourage their mates to take the test.”
Dr Justin Varney, Joint Assistant Director of Health Improvement at NHS Barking
& Dagenham said:
“Chlamydia testing for under 25yr olds is about giving young people
access and choice to detect, prevent and treat a sexually transmitted disease
which can lead to infertility if not treated.
We hope that by putting testing into places like leisure centres, GP
practices and youth centres, we can take some of the stigma out of testing.
Getting tested is a positive step young people can take for free to improve
their health and protect their futures. We hope that young people take advantage
of it.”
News is included on the IvyRose website to inform visitors
about current health issues, but not to endorse any particular view or activity.
Any views expressed in the article above are not necessarily those of IvyRose
Ltd.. Material in this news item was released by the Terrence Higgins Trust
(THT) on 18 June 2009
and may have been edited (e.g. in style, length, and/or for ease of understanding
by our international readers) for inclusion here. For further information, please
visit their website.
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