'Don't let having fun now ruin your life forever' (From The Argus)

'Don't let having fun now ruin your life forever'

9:00am Friday 3rd July 2009

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Teenagers across Sussex are putting their health at risk by not getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Public health expert Joanne Bernhaut warns young people are storing up serious health problems for the future by not taking action now. Health Reporter Siobhan Ryan reports.

When you're in your late teens, having a baby is generally the last thing you are thinking about.

So a threat of infertility problems in the future may not seem to be too much of a concern.

Going out and having a good time is far more important.

However as you get older, decide you want a child and find yourself struggling to conceive, then it becomes a whole lot more serious.

But how do you get the message across to people in the 16 to 25 age group that taking care now will help avoid a ticking time bomb in the years to come?

With thousands of people across Sussex not taking up an offer to get themselves tested for the most common sexually transmitted infection of all, chlamydia, it seems the message still needs to get across.

However Joanne Bernhaut, a public health consultant for East Sussex Downs and Weald and Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trusts, believes it is vital people get into the habit of being checked out as a matter of routine.

She said: “The problem with the condition is the lack of symptoms. People can carry it around for ages and not realise they have an infection.

“If left untreated, people can go on to develop complications with can lead to infertility problems in both men and women.

“At the moment we are really urging people between 16 and 25 to come forward and get themselves tested.

“This is the period of a person's life before they are ready to settle down and there is a great chance of infection if they are changing partners.

“At the same time we are urging people to practice safe sex by using a condom. That not only protects against chlamydia but also other infections and unplanned pregnancies.

“However older people are also susceptible as well so the message needs to go out to everyone.

“Despite the infection being the most common among young people in this age group, there is still a stigma attached to it and we need to get away from that.”

Health promotion teams are sending out thousands of postcards to young people urging them to get tested.

Miss Bernhaut said: “The test is simple and pain free and can give peace of mind if anything else as well.

“We need to get that message out so we are targeting colleges, bars and clubs as wells as surgeries, clinics and pharmacies.

“Stickers and leaflets are also planned for places like public toilets and there will be an advertising campaign on the buses.

“The more people see the information out there, the more of a chance they will come forward to be tested.

“We are also working with doctors and chemists to try and get them to promote the tests as well. The more we can make things a part of a regular routine, the more chances of an early diagnosis. The condition is easy to treat once spotted, it is just knowing you have it that can be the problem.”

Figures from the Health Protection Agency show 19% of all people in the 16 to 25 age group in Brighton and Hove were tested in 2008/09.

In the East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT area the percentage fell to 13.6% and it was 13.7% in Hastings and Rother.

West Sussex had the lowest percentage of just under 10% .

The national target for 2008/09 was 17% and the average rate for England was 15.9% .

The number of tests between April this year and next March needs to increase significantly if health bosses are to meet the new target of 25%.

Only aiming to have a quarter of young people tested may seem low but health bosses say not everyone is sexually active and therefore don't need to take the test.

Although the focus is on the 16 to 25 age group, there is also a small number of people under 16 in Sussex who are being treated for the infection.

In these cases, health bosses are working on prevention and advice but agree it is an area that needs to be considered.

Experts are uncertain whether the number of cases of the disease appear to be going up due to young people being more promiscuous through being exposed to sex, pornography and the internet or whether it is more people coming forward for testing and treatment.

However they say the best approach is to ensure young people know where to go to get advice or help – whether it is to a local pharmacist to pick up free condoms or visiting a drop in clinic session specifically targeted at teenagers.

People can get access to a testing kit by; Calling the Chlamydia line on freephone 0800 0612 668 to get a free testing pack Going to their local GP or pharmacy

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