If young adults are offered the chance to undergo a chlamydia test,
this has positive ramifications for their sexual health and motivation
to seek out healthcare in the future, according to a new report by
Public Health England.
Contraception schemes – such as the providing of condoms – in
addition to chlamydia screening, apparently can encourage safe sex
behaviour for the future in young adults.
Testing for the highly common sexually
transmitted infection (STI) chlamydia is normally advised on a yearly
basis, or for sexually active people upon meeting a new partner.
Screening for the disease is often implanted through primary care
(general practices and pharmacies), community sexual and reproductive
health (SRH) services (including termination of pregnancy services) and
GUM clinics.
Not many realise it but in fact pharmacies such as Medical
Specialists™ are at the forefront of providing sexual health services
to the millions who require it.
This is not only vital to adults in the UK, but indeed the world, and
include things such as medicine supply; this could be chlamydia
treatment, genital herpes treatment, or treatment for gonorrhoea.
Also Medical Specialists™ can provide almost 100% accurate pregnancy
tests to be used in the privacy and comfort of your own home, a wide
variety of condoms to suit different preferences, emergency hormonal
contraception (morning after pill), other contraceptive pills, and even a chlamydia test
you can take at home and post off for a quick analysis and result,
saving you the time and embarrassment of having to personally attend a
clinic for a check-up.
The PHE report showed positive findings, discovering that 62% of
respondents to an anonymous web survey claimed they were more likely to
use condoms with a new partner after previously having a chlamydia test,
with 66% even saying they would probably get tested again for it in the
future.
For those who answered the PHE web survey, nine out of 10 stated they
have received sexual health advice when they had undergone their
previous chlamydia test.
Dr Anthony Nardone, consultant epidemiologist at PHE, commented: “Our
survey of young adults found chlamydia screening has a positive impact
on both health-seeking and sexual behaviour, and provides an important
channel for the delivery of safer sex messages to young adults. This
enhances the cost effectiveness of chlamydia screening, offering value
beyond that of the testing itself.”
Simon Blake OBE, chief executive of Brook, said: “Young adults remain
the age group most at risk of STIs in England. C-Card schemes are an
effective way to help young adults take responsibility for their sexual
health; providing them with easy access to free contraception, education
about sexual health and wellbeing, and are an opportunity to signpost
to related services.”
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