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 NewsCHLAMYDIA - don't bring any uninvited guests to Schoolies17/11/2009 High school graduates getting ready to attend Schoolies celebrations around the country have been issued with a reminder to make sure their sexual health is in the clear before they set off.
“Chlamydia notifications are at an all time high, with over 58,000 cases recorded last year alone in Australia,” said Jill Michelson, National Clinical Adviser for Marie Stopes International.
“The sexually transmitted infection can have no symptoms, so school leavers who have previously engaged in unsafe sex may have Chlamydia but not realise it.
“With parties, alcohol and drug use a common occurrence at Schoolies, the chances of engaging in unprotected sex during the celebration is greatly increased.
“It is therefore vital that school leavers who may be at risk have a Chlamydia test before they jet off to Schoolies to make sure that they aren’t further spreading the infection.”
In an effort to encourage young people to practice safe sex, Marie Stopes International has teamed up with the Queensland State Government to make 10,000 condoms available on the Gold Coast.
The organisation is also joining forces with the Red Cross, who will be handing out condoms in Victoria’s Schoolies hotspots of Lorne and Torquay via their youth workers.
Back home, schools will also be asked to help spread the safe sex message to Schoolies and future Schoolies, informed by a new teacher toolkit - ‘Lessons in Love – All you need to know about STIs and contraception’.
Commissioned by Marie Stopes International, developed by a curriculum content specialist and reviewed by La Trobe University’s Faculty of Education, the toolkit is aimed at Years 9 to 12 and features interactive class presentations on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and contraception along with lesson plans and discussion guides for teachers.
The ‘Love Bugs’ package aims to educate teens on how to recognise the symptoms of common STIs and how to protect themselves from contracting one. The ‘Contraception and Contraception Methods’ package teaches teens the various contraceptive methods available and how to choose the best method for them.
“We strongly believe that ignoring the problem of teens having unsafe sex and shifting the responsibility for addressing it won’t make it go away,” said Ms Michelson.
“However, educating youth on the risks, encouraging them to have regular STI check ups and providing them with access to condoms will help contain it.
Details of all condom distribution locations can be found on Marie Stopes International’s youth sex education websites - www.likeitis.org.au and www.sextxt.org.au
‘Lessons in Love – All you need to know about STIs and contraception’ is available for free download from www.mariestopes.com.au/resources.
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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 media enquiries contact: Kath Markov, Public Relations -
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