Over 100,000 condoms are to be handed out at Freshers’ events over the coming weeks to new college and university students by Umbrella, the sexual health service for Birmingham and Solihull.
Led by Umbrella’s Young People’s Health Advisors and partner Birmingham City Council Youth Service, Umbrella aims to raise awareness of safer sex to avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies.
The condoms will be included in welcome packs to students attending university Freshers’ events at the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham, Newman University and Aston University. In addition Umbrella will be hosting sexual health information stands at 14 colleges in Birmingham and Solihull.
To support the campaign two specially commissioned animations have been created which will feature on facebook and twitter with the message ‘you wouldn’t take it out with you so #don’t bring it back’. The animation aims to remind students about contraception before they embark on Freshers’ week.
‘Three lads were asked what they take on a night out, you’ll never guess what they said…’
‘Three girls were asked what they take on a night out, you’ll never guess what they said…’
Dr Meg Boothby, Genito Urinary Medicine Consultant at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Umbrella, said: “For many students this will be their first experience of living away from home and it’s important that these young people take responsibility for their own sexual health.
“We want young people to have fun but we want to encourage them to stay safe at the same time. The message is clear, whether you’re in a new relationship or are single: if you’re sexually active, the best way to minimise the likelihood of getting an STI is to always use condoms. Only condoms (both male and female) help protect against STIs and unplanned pregnancy.
“If any young person is sexually active they should seriously think about getting tested for STIs as the danger is that people unknowingly pass on infection to new partners and go untreated themselves, which can lead to longer-term health problems.
“Sexual health is about making positive choices and Umbrella and its partners can offer a range of support services to help these young people as they begin the next stage in their journey.”
According to PHE, more than 62 per cent of chlamydia diagnoses are made among people under 25. If detected and treated early, it will not cause any problems. The best way to avoid chlamydia and most STIs is to use a condom.
For more advice about STIs, prevention and treatment or to order an online STI home testing kit, visit the Umbrella website: umbrellahealth.co.uk/test
