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 NewsPut your STI-Q to the test10/11/2009 Australia’s leading sexual and reproductive healthcare organisation, Marie Stopes International, has challenged all sexually active Australians to test their sexual health knowledge with an interactive, online quiz.
Launched during Sexual Health Week (9-15 November), the 10 question STI-Q Test aims to reinforce the importance of condom usage and safer sex.
“Australians are becoming remiss when it comes to their sexual health, so we are hoping that by encouraging them to get online and have a bit of fun, they’ll take home the message that regular STI check-ups and using condoms at all times is vital,” said Jill Michelson, National Clinical Adviser for Marie Stopes International.
“For those that score under 10 from a possible 30, they’ll be told to ‘pull up their socks and their pants and get back to the classroom’ – and for the sake of the sexual health of Australia, we hope they do just that!”
The STI-Q Test has been launched following research which found that over half of all sexually active adults have never had an STI check-up and 9 in 10 have had sex without a condom.[1]
Other key findings from the research include:
· 6 out of 10 sexually active adults have not had an STI check-up since they last had unprotected sex.
· Almost half (47.5%) of sexually active adults who were not in a monogamous relationship when they last had unprotected sex were between the ages of 35 and 40.
· People aged between 18-24 (65%) and 35-40 (57%) were the age groups most likely to never have had an STI check-up.
· Females are much more likely to have had an STI check up, with 51% saying they have, whilst only 36% of men answered yes to having had an STI check up.
To spread the safe sex message, Marie Stopes International with support from Family Planning QLD and Sexual Health & Family Planning ACT, has developed and launched Australia's first ever national Sexual Health Week, being held from the 9 – 15 November, with the aim of educating and empowering women and men to take control of their sexual health.
“STIs and unplanned pregnancy are key health issues that affect many Australians, and we’re hoping that with Sexual Health Week we can raise the bar when it comes to the level of sexual health knowledge out there, and at the same time decrease the statistics,” said Ms Michelson.
“Last year there were just over 58,000 chlamydia notifications, so we are challenging just as many people to jump online to do the STI-Q Test and educate themselves on the risks of unprotected sex.”
More information on Sexual Health Week can be found at www.sexualhealthweek.com.au
About Marie Stopes International: Marie Stopes International is a not-for-profit sexual and reproductive healthcare provider, with centres in the ACT, VIC, NSW, QLD and WA. MSI offers a range of services, including abortion, vasectomy, sexually transmitted infection check-ups, contraception and community-based health promotion and education. The organisation is part of a global international partnership that delivers vital health services to over five million people in 42 countries worldwide. Surplus funds support Marie Stopes International Australia, our charity partner, which works to save lives and improve sexual and reproductive health in Indigenous Australia and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. For more information on the organisations, visit www.mariestopes.com.au and www.mariestopes.org.au
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[1]Australian's safe sex habits was commissioned by Marie Stopes International and conducted online by Pureprofile on 1,002 sexually active males and females nationally aged 18-40.
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