Get Tested, Stay Safe - NSW Health launches new STI campaign

NSW Health has launched a new advertising campaign aimed at lowering the rates of Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs), in particular Chlamydia, among young people aged under 25 years.

The $1.5 million campaign — focusing on the message of 'sleeping with one is sleeping with many' — involves a range of media including TV, print, online, washroom advertising and a dedicated website - www.gettested.com.au

Watch the NSW STI Campaign ad
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Family Planning NSW is proud to have participated in the developmental stages of the new campaign and encourages young people, parents, teachers and service providers to support the safe sex message.

"The commitment, time and resources NSW Health has invested into the design and production of the campaign is absolutely commendable," said Ann Brassil, CEO of Family Planning NSW. "We are completely supportive of the content of this campaign and excited to watch its success in reaching NSW youth."

Download the 'Get Tested, Stay Safe'' poster

Important Facts about STIs and YOU

In NSW there were approximately 17,000 notifications of Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV combined in 2008. The number may be much higher as many people who have an STI have no symptoms of infection.
STIs are particularly common among young people. Approximately 55% of the STIs reported above occurred in young people aged between 18 and 25 years.
Many people who have an STI do not have any obvious symptoms or signs, so it's important they get the facts about how they are spread, how to avoid infection, understand the risks if left untreated, and know what to do if they think they may have one.
The risk gets higher if people do not always use condoms or have many sexual partners.
The NSW Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2006-2010 identifies timely testing and treatment of STIs, particularly around partner change or when a couple decide their relationship has become regular, to be important strategies to reduce the prevalence of STIs.
It is important that people with STIs are diagnosed early so they can receive proper treatment and avoid ongoing health problems and spreading the infection.
Testing is simple and infections easy to treat. In many cases a test is a simple urine sample and treatment is a short course of antibiotics.
If left untreated, STIs can lead to serious and painful health consequences, such as infertility.

Table 1: Number of STI notifications in NSW, 2000-2008

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Chlamydia	3,489	4,484	5,808	7,765	10,007	11,190	11,993	12,375	13,994
Gonorrhoea	1,060	1,364	1,526	1,329	1,443	1,564	1,724	1,367	1,315
Syphilis	577	544	642	831	1,038	837	882	1,083	1,030
HIV	350	341	394	412	403	391	366	387	322

Table 2: Number of STI notifications in NSW for ages 18-25 years, 2000-2008

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Chlamydia	1,459	1,931	2,459	3,585	4,770	5,501	5,796	6,022	6,791
Gonorrhoea	184	254	266	273	329	346	417	311	329
Syphilis	18	11	13	18	29	26	20	24	33
HIV	34	30	38	42	36	42	37	33	41

For further information

Contact Lindsey Parks, Communications & Marketing Officer on 0447 376 791 or email here.