Over-50s targeted in safe-sex campaign

Older people are being targeted in a safe sex campaign.

Changing lifestyles means that an increasing number of people aged over 50 are dating and becoming victims of sexually transmitted diseases.

In Guernsey three of the eight people diagnosed with HIV over the last three years were in their 50s.

The island's sexual health and contraceptive services are working together this week to drive home the safe sex message for everyone. Using condoms is the most effective way of preventing the spread of infections and avoiding unwanted pregnancies.

The Health Information Bus will visit Secondary Schools from Monday to Thursday and on Friday the Street Bus will be parked outside the Town Church between noon and 2pm.

The national theme for Sexual Health Week 2010 is 'Middle Age Spread – Sexually Transmitted Infections in the over 50’s'.

Changing lifestyles mean that there are an increasing number of people over 50 who are single or dating and may not think that safer sex applies to them.

After the menopause, when pregnancy isn’t a concern, the need to use condoms can be easily forgotten.

Sexual Health in the over 50’s is also a concern for the Bailiwick as, over the past three years, three of eight newly-diagnosed HIV infections in the Bailiwick have occurred in the over 50’s compared with none of the eight newly-diagnosed infections in 2006-2007).

Although these numbers are small, the trends noted by the Guernsey Sexual Health Service appear to be mirroring national trends and so highlights the importance of reinforcing the safer sex message for all age groups.

While the UK campaign is focussing on the over- 50’s, the local one will address the population as a whole, with the hope of promoting awareness of sexual health and contraceptive issues to all in Guernsey.

Dr Nikki Brink, a consultant with the Guernsey Sexual Health Service said: 'We are hoping to provide information on sexual health and sexually transmitted infections to a diversity of people living in the Bailiwick. We would also encourage all to come and discuss any concerns that they may have.'

Dr Lucy Joslin, contraceptive lead, added:'We would encourage all age groups to think about contraception. The teenage pregnancy rate is increasing locally, but older women who have not gone through the menopause yet are still at risk of becoming pregnant. Trained staff will be available on the Health Information Bus to discuss any contraception issues'. (from CTV)

everybody going into a new relationship should practice safe sex....you never know where the wick was last dipped or vice versa whose wick was last dipped in the female partner.