No More 'Bottom' Of The Class Thanks To New THT Campaign, UK

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 12 Nov 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Terrence Higgins Trust is launching a new campaign today teaching gay men just how HIV is passed on during unprotected anal sex. With little or no sex education relevant to young gay men in schools this new campaign gives a valuable biology lesson to fill these important knowledge gaps.

The 'Biology of Transmission' campaign, aimed especially at younger men and others new to gay sex, gets vital HIV transmission information across using three striking 'bottom' themed images;

- the sponge - illustrating how the lining of the rectum absorbs semen and pre-cum containing HIV.

- the eggs - covering how the rectal lining can be damaged during anal sex or when objects enter the rectum, allowing HIV easier entry into the bloodstream.

- the peach - explaining how (often unnoticed) sexually transmitted infections make it easier for HIV to be passed on due to skin damage inside the rectum

The sponge, egg and peach images will appear on ads in national and local gay press for three months until late January. They will also be seen on posters, condom packs and wallet sized information cards inside liquid filled travelcard holders. Ads on popular gay web sites such as Gaydar and Recon will take men to the http://www.chapsonline.org.uk/biology web pages where they can find all they need to know about how HIV is transmitted and prevented during sex between men. An action doll-themed booklet called 'Ready for Action' is also being distributed explaining the many ways men can reduce their risk of getting or passing on HIV.

Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion said: "Many men become sexually active having left school without the basic HIV facts they need to stay safe. Young men have been very enthusiastic about this new campaign. With its simple language and easily understood visuals men of all ages will benefit from hearing how HIV is transmitted and how condoms - or having non-penetrative sex - greatly reduces their risk."

'Biology of Transmission' is a revised version of a CHAPS campaign that first ran seven years ago and which won the 2003 Communication Excellence Award. It has been independently evaluated as the most popular and effective of all the CHAPS campaigns. The accompanying 'Ready for Action' booklet has been given a Patient Information Award by the British Medical Association.

Notes

The CHAPS programme is funded by the Department of Health and co-ordinated by Terrence Higgins Trust to provide HIV health promotion to gay men in England and Wales. The partnership includes THT, GMFA, Manchester's Lesbian and Gay Foundation, Yorkshire MESMAC, Trade Men's Sexual Health Project in Leicester, Liverpool's Armistead Project, Sheffield Centre for HIV and Sexual Health, the Eddystone Trust in Plymouth, and Sigma Research. http://www.chapsonline.org.uk

Source
Terrence Higgins Trust

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