Screening kits are more accessible
Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign is pleased that screening for one of the UK’s most common STIs is now more readily available across the county.
Chlamydia affects around one-in-ten under 25s nationally and because there are often no symptoms, they may not even know if they have it – yet it can cause some serious health implications.
So since February this year, screening kits have been made available to 15 to 24-year-olds in Warwickshire at some GP surgeries, youth services and in the future, pharmacies – as well as by calling the Chlamydia screening office on 02476 349460.
The campaign is organised locally by NHS Warwickshire and the Warwickshire Chlamydia Screening programme, and is supported by the Respect Yourself Campaign team.
According to recent figures, around three quarters of the kits requested in Warwickshire were sent in to the lab for testing.
Young people can apply for a kit by logging on to http://www.freetest.me - an organisation working with the NHS nationally to offer free postal screening kits and analysis.
In both cases they send the test back to the laboratory for analysis, with results available by text (if negative) or through nurses who will contact them to arrange treatment where necessary.
Jenny Whateley, Respect Yourself Campaign co-ordinator, said: “Chlamydia can be spread very easily if you are having unprotected sex, so it is worth asking for one of these kits to test yourself against the infection.
“It is also important to ensure you are making informed choices about relationships and sexual health generally – the Respect Yourself website is a great starting point to find out about a wide range of subjects such as contraception and Sexually Transmitted Infections.”
Dr John Linnane, Director of Public Health at NHS Warwickshire, said: “We are pleased to be working closely with the Warwickshire Chlamydia Screening and the Respect Yourself Campaign to raise awareness of this infection.
“Our clear advice to any young person who thinks they may be infected is to get tested as soon as possible. We continue to explore all ways of communicating a safe sex message to young people.”
For more information about the Respect Yourself Campaign or to find your nearest Chlamydia Screening Centre, visit http://www.respectyourself.info.