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Free gigs and iPods tempt under-25s to take sex disease test
Anna Davis and Roisin Gad El Rab10 Mar 2009
Health bosses are spending tens of thousands of pounds on gifts for young people to encourage them to take a sexual health test.
Gig tickets, a computer game and iPods are on offer to under-25s who sign up for chlamydia screening across the capital. The incentives are being introduced by primary care trusts to meet government targets. Ministers want 17 per cent of all 15 to 24-year-olds to be screened for the disease by next month, but latest figures show only 9.5 per cent of that age group have been tested.
NHS Islington has spent £40,000 on its campaign and is offering all those who take a test the chance to enter a prize draw for a secret gig. They then vote on YouTube for the artists they want at the May event, from a list including Roots Manuva, Lethal Bizzle, Kano, and Lady Sovereign. To win a ticket young people must send a urine sample to be tested, receiving their results by text.
Health bosses have also set up a Facebook group to encourage testing.
In Bromley, teenagers who are tested for chlamydia will be entered into a prize draw for a Nintendo Wii Fit, while in Surrey an iPod Nano is given away each month to one young person who has had the test. In Hounslow free do-it-yourself testing kits are being handed out in bowling alleys, snooker halls, pubs and clubs.
Dr Renu Bindra from NHS Islington said: "If we want to make chlamydia tests easy, we have to give young people the opportunity to do it where they are most comfortable and I don't think there's anywhere better than their homes. We asked a specialist agency to talk to young people and find out what they think is fun. It was about making it fun and motivating people."
She added: "It's not just once a year or once in a lifetime, you should be tested every time you have a new sexual partner."
One in 10 sexually-active people under 25 have chlamydia and many do not know they have it as there are often no symptoms. If left untreated it can cause infertility in women. It is caused by a bacterium and is easily treated with antibiotics. Results of home testing trials have shown a marked increase in screening rates. But the latest schemes have received a mixed response.
Mateus Lutumba, 18, from Finsbury Park, said: "It's a good idea but it should also be for cancer, especially for young men." Dillon Williams, 23, from Finsbury, said: "Some young people may only do it once and not again unless they get another incentive."
Reader views (9)
I belive this policy is utterly ludicrous, people who act irresponsible are being rewarded. Im currently in sixth form and I want to go into medicine. In my college precouis NHS funds are being wasted on people who have no respect for themselves and their partner most people act promiscuously and society accepts that as ok . I say it must stop people who get STDs should in my view pay for their own testing and medication so the NHS can profit and deliver treatments to those who really need it. We as a society should frown upon individuals who are promiscuous and who contract STDs.
- Raj, London,England, 23/03/2009 23:35
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P. Staker, London: I agree entirely. Let them be as promiscuous as they like, get all diseases they can so long as long as it prevents them from breeding. It's their choice - or doesn't the wonderful new Liebour "choice" agenda extend to people's private lives?
- Judith C, London, England, 11/03/2009 12:21
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Is this about halting the spread this STD or more about spending a NHS surplus?
Would I take a freebie to be tested?
No, the money would be better spent on sick people, who are being pushed aside for the sake of some nu-lie-bor quangos targets.
A waste of precious NHS funds.
- Anon, Essex, UK, 11/03/2009 11:59
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It's a Labout borough.
Say no more.
- Lezli Taubler, London / UK, 10/03/2009 23:19
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Why worry if they become sterile from sleeping around, it will save the taxpayer a fortune as they can't get pregnant.
- P I Staker, London, SW8, 10/03/2009 15:08
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Surely anyone stupid enough to sleep around and become sterile as a result is just Darwinism in action? What a stupid concept, what next? A free wii for looking before crossing the road?
- Bob, Cheam, 10/03/2009 13:28
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I'm furious - if they sleep around with no forethought to their own health, then why should they be "rewarded" with a free Ipod for being tested? I had my smear last week, I don't recall getting any freebies. As if the NHS isn't in enough financial trouble.....
- Sarah, Enfield, 10/03/2009 12:14
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Stop spending MY money on this trivia.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants, 10/03/2009 10:34
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What an outrage. Why should middle aged people forego a free Ipod? I thought ageism is illegal.
- Thomas, London, 10/03/2009 09:49
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