Free condom scheme to help keep young people safe
A new scheme that aims to help young people feel less embarrassed about asking for condoms has been launched in Herefordshire. The C-Card or Condom Card - which can be presented to receive a standard pack of six - will help combat the sharp rise in sexually transmitted infections among the under 25s.
Herefordshire Primary Care Trust, which leads the NHS in the county, will distribute and promote the cards across the county.
The credit card sized card will fit into a wallet or purse and
contains an insert with information on using condoms safely,
together with a list of sites where the card can be presented, with
no questions asked. Young people will have been taught about safe
sex and condom use before the scheme launch, which allowed them to
discuss issues openly, such what to do if it breaks and whether the
young person is ready to have sex.
Dramatic increases in diagnosis of Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and
infectious Syphilis have been recorded across the UK since the
early 1990s. It is estimated that 1 in 10 sexually active young
people carry a sexually transmitted infection, which often has no
symptoms but can lead to infertility in later life.
C-Cards and safe sex supplies are available from various venues, including Gaol Street Clinic (Sexual Health) in Hereford, from school nurses, youth workers, the primary care trust after care team and ZigZag at Connexions.
