Major education campaign needed to curb soaring numbers of sexual infections.

The number of people contracting STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) in Galway city and county is continuing to rise with a 30 per cent increase recorded during last year. Inadequate sex education and effective awareness programmes are cited as some of the reasons for the soaring numbers as well as more people attending screening clinics and travelling to more exotic locations.

Binge drinking among the under 30's is also a contributing factor according to experts in the area in Galway.

According to the latest information from the HSE West the top three infections are anogenital warts, chlamydia and non-specific urethritis. It's nearly an even split between the number of men and women attending the clinics and most appear to be between 18 and 45 years of age.

Support Service Co-ordinator with AIDS West, Gerry Coy isn't surprised at the rising STI figures. The organisation's helpline gets frequent calls regarding sexually transmitted infections ranging from callers seeking information on testing to symptoms of the infections themselves.

AIDS West's key message for 2009 is for people to get tested. "If a person is sexually active and putting themselves at risk, then they should look after themselves and others by getting tested," he says.

He believes that people are reluctant to attend a clinic because they are scared, aren't bothered or simply unaware.

"If you've any doubt or concern at all go to the clinic. It's free, confidential and completely safe. If you don't want to go the clinic then visit your GP who can help," he adds.

Preliminary figures for the west region indicate an increase of 31 per cent in the number of STI's reported. More than 4,200 people attended the clinic at UHG last year with over 600 attending the service in Ballinasloe.

Consultant of Infectious Diseases for Galway University Hospitals Catherine Flemming told The Herald that there is a need for health promotion campaigns to focus on STI's as well as pregnancy prevention as part of a safe sex message.

She said many STI's had subtle symptoms but can have serious ong-term consequences especially if a person has repeat infections such as chlamydia which can affect fertility.

The numbers seeking help continue to rise in Galway each year despite efforts by health promotion agencies to raise awareness of STI's.

In 2007 there were about 600 cases of anogenital warts diagnosed through the HSE clinics in the city and county with chlamydia the second most prevalent STI. Herpes, gonorrhoea and syphilis are also picked up by the clinics on a regular basis.

This week is SHAG week (Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance) week in Galway's third level institutions. The USI (Union of Students of Ireland) is distributing 35,000

sexual health awareness packs across the country. All the information provided aims to help students have safer sex and make informed decisions regarding their contraceptive choices.

Welfare Officer at GMIT Student Union Conor Moylan believes that the situation is improving and that through persistent campaigning, students are becomming more aware and vigilant regarding their sexual health.

The Students Union offers free chlamydia testing and condoms year round and this week it's campaign is targetting male students in an effort to make them more aware of the risks of being exposed to chlamydia, an infection usually associated with women.

"We are running our Pee in the Pot campaign which encourages men to drop off urine samples for testing for chlamydia as men don't usually go for testing for this," explained Conor.

A few months ago the GMIT ran a national condom week and already this week has distributed more than 3,000 free condoms to students.

"Hopefully students are taking notice and are practising what we preach. I think the message is slowly getting through," he says. Dr Flemming says the largest age group affected by STI's is 20-to 29 year olds and she commented the efforts of students to raise awareness of sexual health. "I applaud them for trying to educate students so publicly but it's young people who aren't in full-time education who need to be made more aware of the problem," she added.

Gerry Coy of AIDS West believes alcohol is still a major factor when it comes to people's sexual health. "Theres no doubt that there's an awareness of STI's out there but when people have too many drinks they are less likely to protect themselves. We've had people seeking the morning after pill because they can't remember whether they had sex or not," he remarks.

He said STI's are a serious problem and campaigns need to be stepped up.

"There are programmes in schools but we don't know how many operate or how effective they are. More needs to be done and a more cohesive approach taken. People need to realise that some STI's can have serious repercussions for their future health," he added.

Gerry Coy said that in the lead-up to Valentine's weekend he wasn't putting a dampner on romance but people need to be responsible.

"We all make mistakes and that's why it's so important to get tested for a possible STI if there's any doubt," he said.

AIDS West will launch a new booklet next week entitled A Simple Guide to Sexual Health as part of their awareness programme. It offers support to anyone who is worried about their sexual health as well as a confidential helpline and education service.

Dr Flemming accepted that there is still a stigma attached to attending a sexual infection clinic and that many people visit their GP first time before being referred on. In smaller communities she says the opposite can be true. "In rural areas around the country women prefer to attend the anonymous clinic because they are embarrassed," she explained.

The clinic at UHG now offers a walk-in option, which operates on a first come first served basis. All information is confidential and the tests, which take about two weeks for a result, are free as is the treatment.