This is Brighton & Hove STI Testing Week, where local residents are encouraged to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
THE campaign to tackle high rates of STIs in the city is led by sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) with support from Brighton and Hove City Council’s public health team.
Gonorrhoea remains the most commonly diagnosed bacterial STI in Brighton amongst gay/bisexual men nationally and locally (and 61% of new STIs in the city in 2017 were amongst this group).
STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, can be easily passed on through sexual contact and are often symptomless. That’s why regular testing is important, and helps to minimise the chances of infection being passed on.
The chlamydia screening team will be hosting various events throughout the week at MET College, Sussex University and Brighton University where they will be offering free testing.
In addition to this, the outreach team will be in Charles Street Tap, Legends and Subline on Saturday April 5 and Sunday, April 6.
There are a range of testing events across the city during the week encouraging local people to get tested for STIs at the following locations:
Brighton Sexual Health & Contraception
Monday April 1 – Sunday, April 7
Walk-in and booked appointments.
To book an appointment call: 01273 523 388
Terrence Higgins Trust (Ship Street Clinic)
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
10am – 5pm
Thursday April 4
10am – 8pm
Brighton Sauna
Wednesday, April 3
5:30pm – 8pm
Alan Boyd, Health Promotion Practitioner at Terrence Higgins Trust in Brighton, said: “We have very high STI rates in the area including the highest in the South East region and one of the highest outside of London.
“Overall, around 1 in 10 people we see at Terrence Higgins Trust in Brighton tests positive for an STI without showing any symptoms. This is why we want to use this week to raise awareness of the importance of STI testing. Not only is testing easy, painless and free to everyone, it’s available across the city this week in bars and clubs, as well community venues and at Terrence Higgins Trust’s Ship Street office.”
Alternatively, for a free STI postal test kit, click here:
For more information contact 01273 764200 or email: info@tht.org.uk
Brighton and Hove STI Testing Week runs till Friday, April 7.
For further information about STIs, click here: