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Condom campaign targets teens

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 10/25/2012 9:54 AM | Comments: 0

With one out of four Grade 9 students reportedly sexually active, the health authority is targeting teens with a condom campaign to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The Winnipeg Health Region is using, posters, bus shelter and radio advertisements and the slogan "Get some condoms" to encourage youth to use protection every time they have sex with someone else.

"Our new campaign tells youth that because many STIs often have mild or no symptoms, you can’t tell who has one and you can’t predict when you might get one," Dr. Pierre Plourde, medical officer of health, said in a press release.

Condoms are nearly 97 per cent effective against preventing STIs when used properly. "Youth and young adults continue to be among the groups with the highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea," Plourde said. "Increasing condom use with sexually active teens can help to bring down these rates."

The website (www.getsomecondoms.com) offers teens information to help them decide if they’re ready to have sex and how to protect themselves from STIs and unplanned pregnancies by using a condom every time with every partner.

The website also directs youth to teen clinics across the city to access confidential health services and enter to win tickets to an advanced premiere of the last movie in the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2. Over 400 Winnipeg teens will get a sneak peek on Nov. 15. The Twilight premiere will kick-off the new Heads up?! toques which youth will be able to pick up for free when they visit teen clinics after Nov. 15.

"Research has shown that as many as one out of four Grade 9 students are sexually active. We need to provide youth with the information they need to make the right decisions about protecting themselves if they choose to have sex," Plourde said.

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