Teen sexual health campaign hits 50,000 condoms

More than 50,000 condoms have been distributed to Sefton teenagers as part of a campaign to encourage safer sex.

Sefton Sexual Health Service has been running a condom distribution scheme for young people aged between 13 and 19 since 2008.

Known as the “C-Card” scheme, it has seen more than 50,000 condoms given out.

To mark National Condom Week, which starts on Valentine’s Day, Sefton Sexual Health Service is out and about during February speaking to young people.

The team will visit sixth forms and further education colleges to promote sexual health. Special promotional condoms will be distributed from jars during this time.

Ann Morris, C-Card coordinator, said: “The C-Card scheme has been a big success and we are delighted to have provided advice to many thousands of young people over the last eight years. To mark National Condom Week, we will be out and about throughout February distributing condoms.”

National Condom Week educates young adults about serious risks involved with unprotected sex. This includes the risk of catching and spreading sexually transmitted infections as well as preventing unwanted pregnancies.

Sefton Sexual Health Services provides advice on all contraceptive methods, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatments including HIV, free condoms and pregnancy tests. It has a new website here: www.seftonsexualhealth.co.uk

Information on where to register for Sefton C-Card can be found at the website or on the Sefton C-Card Facebook page.

Did you know …?

•   Condoms date back to Roman times when animal bladders were used
•   The first rubber condoms was introduced in 1855
•   Japan accounts for more than a quarter of all condom sales

An integrated care organisation

 Condoms are still your only protection from someone else’s sexually transmitted infection (other than not having sex)