Health chiefs warn of high numbers having unprotected sex

 

 

Health chiefs have warned that people are continuing to put themselves at risk by not practising safe sex.

 

In a screening test conducted by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust as part of a health roadshow, around 47 per cent of the 65 people who took part admitted having unprotected sex in the last four weeks.

 

One in eight of those tested had sex with a high-risk partner.

 

Two-thirds of the people who visited the roadshow had never had a sexual health screening test.

 

Lesley Navaratne, consultant in genito-urinary medicine (GUM) at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, said: “It is worrying that so many people, particularly young men and women, are putting their health at risk by not practicing safe sex.

 

“Initiatives like these are helping to raise awareness and promote the importance of leading safe sexual health lives.”

 

During the roadshow, sexual health doctors and nurses offered people advice and information on leading safe sexual lives and distributed condoms.

 

The team was based on the health promotion blue bus when it visited Tunbridge Wells town centre on February 13.

 

They also attended Maidstone Mid Kent College campus on February 11.