Taxis to carry condoms

12/ 4/2008

TAXIS are being used in the battle to drive home the safe sex message and combat disease.

Couples in cabs are being given free condoms to combat an `alarming growth' in sexually-transmitted infections, especially chlamydia, health bosses in Wigan and Leigh said.

They have joined forces with a taxi company in Wigan to launch the scheme, with drivers also promoting a free chlamydia screening programme.

Chlamydia is the country's most common sexually transmitted disease, with highest infection rates identified in men and women under 25.

Figures show detection rates have risen steadily since the mid-1990s.

In Wigan, one in 10 young people screened without symptoms were found to have the infection. A total of 311 new diagnoses were made in 2006, the latest available figures show. But across the north west, 16,000 were diagnosed in 2006 - a sharp rise from 2005, when there were 14,600 cases.

Health bosses said the condom initiative was launched to raise awareness and lower infection rates.

Glen Berry, assistant director of health development for Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust, said: "Safer sex is the best protection. That is always wearing a condom for penetrative sex including oral sex.

"We know that people do not always carry condoms or some people have never tried them."

Couples using taxis at night will be given condoms on request. Special packs also contain instructions and awareness leaflets.

Peter Bailey, director of Bluestar Taxis, said the region also had one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe.

He added: "I think that people are generally unaware of the statistics of sexually transmitted infections. We are proud to be associated with this project."

The free chlamydia testing programme is aimed at people aged between 15 and 24. It was launched in Wigan in October 2006.

Statistics reveal that out of 4,714 youngsters, 620 tested positive for chlamydia - more than one in eight.

Screening is available from sexually health clinics, walk-in centres and pharmacies.

Postal test kits are also available by send a text message of TEST to 84010.

Nationally the Health Protection Agency said new diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections rose by two per cent from 368,341 to 376,508 between 2005 and 2006.