Don’t pick up any unwanted gifts this St Valentine’s week!
This is one of the messages in a new series of radio advertisements about sexual health aimed at 18 to 25 year olds. The advertisements have been developed by the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) in collaboration with the Family Planning Association (fpa) and will be broadcast during St Valentine’s week.
The advertisements use humour to raise awareness of sexual health issues such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unplanned pregnancies, safer sex and the impact of alcohol and drugs on decision making and personal safety, and will also promote the fpa helpline. Research with this age group has shown that humour is an effective way to draw their attention to information about sexual health issues.
In addition to this creative campaign, the HPA, in partnership with members of the Sexual Health Information Exchange Group (SHIEG), is supporting a series of sexual health events for those who are involved in sexual health promotion with schools, further education, youth and community sectors, social services and health sectors.
These events are being held locally during St Valentine’s week by sexual health promotion staff in each Health and Social Services Board area. Participants will have the opportunity to meet a range of organisations and individuals who can provide information on the sexual health resources and training available in each of the Health and Social Services Board areas.
Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the HPA, said: “Sexual health is an important part of physical and mental health, as well as emotional and social wellbeing. In Northern Ireland rates of teenage pregnancy and STIs among young people remain at a worryingly high level. Sexual risk-taking behaviour, such as underage sex, unprotected sexual activity and frequent change of sexual partners, are major contributing factors to these problems. Our colleagues in all Health and Social Services Board areas are to be congratulated in organising these innovative events to ensure that the help available is shared at local level.
“During St Valentine’s week we are urging young people in particular, to take their sexual health seriously and not put their health or lives at risk. We would advise anyone who is concerned about their sexual health to make an appointment with their GP or contact their local Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic.”
The latest figures for STIs show that new cases of uncomplicated gonorrhoea have increased by 47%, uncomplicated chlamydia by 12%, genital warts by 10% and genital herpes by 7%. New cases of infectious syphilis decreased by 39% between 2004 and 2005. During 2005 there were 63 new cases of HIV diagnosed in Northern Ireland.1
Audrey Simpson, Director of the fpa, said: “Calls to our helpline always increase in the post-St Valentine’s period. Many callers admit to having unprotected sex when they have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In the cold light of day they soon realise that they have taken a risk with their sexual health and know that pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection could be the outcome. It is important for people of all ages to avoid sexual risk taking behaviour and to remember that many methods of contraception, including the pill and the injection, do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. The message is, if you don’t want an unexpected and unwanted St Valentine’s gift then don’t take risks with your sexual health, use a condom! If you are concerned about your sexual health, or simply want to know how to access services, ring the fpa helpline on 028 9032 5488.”
Further information about the HPA’s sexual health work is available at: http://www.healthpromotionagency.org.uk/Work/Sexualhealth/publications.htm
END
Notes to the editor:
Dr Brian Gaffney will be available for interview on Tuesday 13 February between 10.00am – 12 noon at the HPA, 18 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, BT2 8HS
The radio advertisements will be broadcast this week on Downtown Radio, Cool FM, Citybeat Radio and Q102FM. The advertisements can be downloaded at http://www.healthpromotionagency.org.uk/Work/Sexualhealth/campaign2.htm
The Sexual Health Information Exchange Group (SHIEG) is facilitated by the HPA and includes representatives from each of the Health and Social Services Boards, the Genito Urinary Medicine Clinic at Royal Victoria Hospital and a range of voluntary and community organisations.
Valentine’s week events:
Tuesday 13 February 2007
Northern Health and Social Services Board
The Elk, Toome
9.30am – 1.15pm
Contact: Janice Armstrong, Health Promotion Officer for Sexual Health
Tel: 028 2563 5575.
Wednesday 14 February 2007
Eastern Health and Social Services Board
NICVA, Duncairn Gardens, Belfast
10.00am – 2.30pm
Contact: Joe Harris or Joanna Gregg, Sexual Health Co-ordinators
Tel: 028 9082 1524.
Thursday 15 February 2007
Western Health and Social Services Board
Everglades Hotel
9.30am – 1.15pm
Contact: Ann Linstrom, Health Promotion Officer Sexual Health
Tel: 028 7186 5127.
Friday 16 February 2007
Southern Health and Social Services Board
Mount Zion House, Lurgan
10.00am – 1.00pm
Contact: Lyndsey McCann, Area Sexual Health Advisor
Tel: 028 3741 2424.
For further information contact:
Jenny Dougan at the HPA on Tel: 028 9031 1611 or 9031 1514.
1 The UK Collaborative Group for HIV and STI Surveillance. A Complex Picture. HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United Kingdom: 2006. London: Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections. November 2006.
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