Sexual health awareness
Thursday, 14 Feb 2008 10:01
Condom-use must become more normalised, sexual health experts say
As Valentine's Day is upon us and people's thoughts turn to romance, sexual health experts are urging people to practice safe sex.
Despite warnings about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), new research from condomessentialwear.co.uk has revealed that there is still stigma about bringing up condom use with a new partner.
Under a quarter (23 per cent) of single 18- to 24-year-olds said they would not discuss using a condom with someone they have just met.
One in four young people surveyed said they are worried that if they carry condoms people will think they are easy and sleep around and ten per cent said they think a person who brings up the subject of wearing a condom before sex is likely to have a STI.
The findings follow research released by the Health Protection Agency in November 2007 which warned that although there have been some encouraging developments in HIV and sexually-transmitted infection (STI) prevention in 2006, the overall picture has worsened.
The agency estimates that up to 73,000 people in the UK have HIV, with about a third of this number being unaware they have the infection.
Incidence of syphilis remains high and there have been increases in genital herpes and genital warts.
inthenews.co.uk talks to sexual health expert Dr Petra Boynton about the need for safe sex and where to access advice on contraception.
