Free condom service to tackle soaring rates of STIs amongst gay men
Britain’s leading HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust THT have launched a FREE condom pack service to tackle the soaring rates of STIs among gay and bisexual men.
Terrence Higgins Trust aims to increase condom usage among gay and bisexual men with an online ‘Condom quiz’ that pairs you with the condom best suited to your needs.
You are requested to take the condom quiz and then are invited to order a free condom pack. The pack contains an information leaflet and four types of condoms. Your choice of condom makes a huge difference to how good they feel and how well they work.
Using condoms correctly and consistently can help protect against HIV and other STIs. Condom usage has become even more vital with the recent increase in cases of Gonorrhoea and Syphilis.
According to the most recent Public Health England statistics 2,250 gay and bisexual men were diagnosed with HIV in the UK, accounting for 51% of all those diagnosed in 2018.
When used correctly each time you have sex, condoms are the best protection against STIs and HIV when having vaginal, anal or oral sex. The important thing is to use condoms correctly and consistently.
Alex Sparrowhawk, programme officer at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “Condoms are the most effective way to safeguard your sexual health as they provide a barrier that stops sperm, viruses and bacteria getting from one person to another.
“The condom quiz shows people that one size condom doesn’t have to fit all and the right condom is out there for everyone. There will be size which will not only fit but increase sensation and pleasure.”
Condom use was a vital part of the initial fight against HIV/AIDS transmission supported by a range of sexual health initiatives including those promoted by THT. Condom use across all groups has fallen in recent years.
Find out more information on using condoms on the It Starts With Me website.
About Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, offering support, information and advice services for those living with HIV and affected by HIV or poor sexual health.
Our vision is a world where people with HIV live healthy lives free from prejudice and discrimination, and good sexual health is a right and reality for all.
About It Starts With Me
- The It Starts With Me campaign promotes HIV prevention tools such as testing, PrEP, condom and effective treatment to gay and bisexual men and black African men and women. These groups make up seven out of ten people in the UK living with HIV.
- The campaign is run by Terrence Higgins Trust as the lead of HIV Prevention England (HPE) funded by Public Health England, with support and participation from organisations in the public, statutory and private sectors, and promotes the benefits of regular testing and treatment for both the individual and community
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