Youth Week - Clinic 9 BH Sexual Health and Headspace Promoting Youth Sexual Health
Headspace Broken Hill and Clinic 9 Broken Hill Sexual Health Clinic have joined forces to promote sexual health among the city's youth and will be running a 'Pee for $50' competition as part of NSW Youth Week (10-18 April 2019).
For the duration of Youth Week we are encouraging young people to get tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections. Ms Jo Lenton, Sexual Health Clinical Nurse Consultant with Far West LHD said: 'Let's face it; talking about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) isn't always comfortable, whether you're talking to friends, a stranger or even your doctor. But no matter how hard we pretend they don't exist, they have a nasty habit of springing up on us if we're not careful.
Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmitted infection that is easily passed from one person to another through unprotected sex or a broken condom. Chlamydia rates are increasing in youth, between the ages of 15-29 years, and it affects both women and men. Chlamydia is incredibly easy to ignore. In the majority of cases it has no symptoms and if left untreated, Chlamydia can lead to infertility.
'You usually can't tell that you have a STI and sexual health is an essential but sometimes overlooked part of being a healthy young person,' said Ms Lenton.
'Chlamydia is easy to test and easy to treat and we hope that youth will take advantage during Youth Week to get tested,' she said. 'Chlamydia can be tested with a simple urine test.'
The 'Pee for $50' campaign is designed to introduce youth to the process of getting an STI check, whilst remaining anonymous, and to break down some of the barriers of getting tested, such as shame, fear or embarrassment. Everyone having a test goes into a draw to win one of four $50 gift cards. Winners will be drawn at random from participants following the competition and contacted via SMS in 5 days with results.
To take part, youth can present to Headspace Broken Hill (231 Blende Street) during Youth Week from 9am to 5pm to get tested and be automatically entered into the 'Pee for $50' competition. It's easy - fill out a registration form but the form in a secure collection bin, collect a kit, provided a urine sample and put in the coloured bin in the bathroom and leave. There will be minimal interaction with staff.
The Clinic 9 nurses will collect the samples each day, and contact youth via SMS with results in 5 days. If there test is positive treatment is simple effective and free.
For more information Contact or visit Headspace 231 Blende Street Broken Hill or phone +61 2 9393 9699 or
email headspace.brokenhill@flourishaustralia.org.au. Alternately youth can also call Clinic 9 Broken Hill Community Health Centre on 80 8080 1100 and ask for one of the nurses or visit the Play Safe www.playsafe.health.nsw.gov.au for more information.