New drive to tackle rise in sexual diseases in the UK

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 07 Feb 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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From the Department of Health (UK)

Valentine's ad campaign warns young people against playing the 'sex lottery'

A new series of hard-hitting adverts warning young people of the risks of unsafe sex were launched today by the Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson.

The advertising campaign - timed to coincide witht the Valentine's period - will run in national tabloid newspapers, across radio stations and on-line media from Monday 9th February.

Spoof Valentine's cards will also warn young people of the risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The campaign is being launched at a time of concern about poor sexual health and rising numbers of STIs among younger age groups.

Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson said:

'It's vital that we tackle the rising numbers of sexually transmitted infections and improve sexual health. This campaign is aimed at targeting those most at risk by using thought-provoking imagery and direct language.

'The Sex Lottery campaign is targeted specifically at sexually active 18-30 year olds, and has already achieved significant behaviour change. But it's clear that we must do more to bring home the message of the risk of sexually transmitted infections.'

Paul Ward, Deputy Chief Executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust said:

'A recent survey carried out by Terence Higgins Trust showed that 62% of 18-24 year olds said they didn't have enough information about the risks of unprotected sex. These new Valentine's adverts will help get some important messages across about the importance of safer sex in a fun and accessible way. We'd like people to remember their Valentine's night for all the right reasons.'

Notes to editors

1. The Department of Health in 2002 outlined its commitment to develop a new information campaign for the general population on preventing sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies in the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV. £4m has been invested over the first two years of the campaign.

The new campaign was launched on 30 November 2002 and aims to increase awareness of the risk of sexually transmitted infections (including HIV) among 18-30 year olds and to highlight the importance of practising safer sex. The campaign focuses on young adults, particularly those in lower income groups, as they are at greatest risk of STIs.

The campaign appears in men's and women's lifestyle magazines and also uses radio, web-based advertising and ambient media such as beer mats, scratch cards and washroom posters. The campaign is supported by the Sexual Health line (0800 567 123) and a new website: http://www.playingsafely.co.uk

The campaign was informed by a review of evidence. This found that successful safer sex campaigns provide factual information through striking design using a realistic, positive, empowering, humorous and personally relevant tone. The campaign has been extensively tested with its target audience.

2. Facts and figures on sexually transmitted infections (figures relate to England only).

-- cases of chlamydia increased 16% in men and 13% in women (14% overall) from 68,246 cases to 78,137 cases between 2001 and 2002.

-- between 1996 and 2002 there has been a 139% increase in cases of chlamydia.

-- it is estimated that as many as one in ten people are infected with chlamydia and that one case is diagnosed every 3 minutes.

-- chlamydia's symptoms can often go unnoticed, leading to serious health issues like pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility.

-- gonorrhoea increased 9% from 22,413 cases to 24,397 cases between 2001 and 2002.

-- highest rates of gonorrohoea and chlamydia in 2002 were in females under 20 years old and males aged 20-24 years old.

-- syphilis increased by 67% from 717 cases to 1193 cases from 2001 to 2002.

-- 1,335 cases of genital warts were diagnosed each week in 2002.

-- all diagnoses in GUM have increased 5% overall and workload by 23% from 2001/02.

-- between 1992 and 2002 new episodes of STIs seen at GUM clinics in England more than doubled from 666,244 to 1,478,847.

3. For further information please contact Rachel Clinton on 020 7210 5623 or to be emailed PDF versions of the adverts please contact Melanie Buchanan on 020 7210 5287 and Sarah Woods 020 7210 5282.

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