MAYbe It's Time to Check-kit
Awareness campaign urging young Londoners to get tested for Chlamydia
London, United Kingdom (PRWEB) May 6, 2009
London is the 'Chlamydia capital' of the UK and 'MAYbe month', which launches on 1 May, aims to combat the spread of the most prevalent and fastest growing Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) among under-25-year-olds with an intensive Chlamydia screening drive and information campaign: "Maybe you've got Chlamydia" (http://www. check-kit. org. uk).
Chlamydia has no symptoms and therefore you cannot be sure that you're not loaded. MAYbe month is supported by GPs, pharmacists, youth services and outreach workers who will host over 200 Chlamydia screening events during the month. The campaign is organised by the NHS in Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith, Fulham and Westminster.
If you are under 25 and live in West London, you can get a free and confidential Chlamydia test by post (https://www. check-kit. org. uk), from your GP, participating pharmacists or from a local Westside Contraceptive Services clinic. There is no excuse for not knowing your status. Testing requires just one urine sample, and if you test positive for the STI it can be treated with a single dose of antibiotics.
If left untreated Chlamydia may cause serious health problems such as preventing both men and women from being able to have children. It can also lead to arthritis. Anyone who has had unprotected sex could have Chlamydia because it is often symptomless.
Although London has the highest rates of Chlamydia in the UK, an NHS-sponsored survey among 16-24 year-olds in central and West London showed a widespread lack of awareness or concern about Chlamydia and its consequences (http://www. check-kit. org. uk). With statistics as high as 60% not knowing for certain that they don't have Chlamydia and 66% confirming that they have had unprotected sex, the MAYbe campaign is critical to their sexual wellbeing.
To encourage under-25s in West London to take the opportunity and get tested some famous faces are donning the MAYbe-branded clothing created to support the screening events during May. Luke Pasqualino, who plays Freddie in E4's Skins and Jeff Leach, star of Big Brother's Big Mouth and BBC Switch are two of the celebs supporting the cause and who will be donning the gear in the area.
The campaign has also found a friend with Channel 4 and the fantastic Peep Show, who have very kindly lent their support with this Chlamydia sex clip (http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=V09EI1PkLvw) from their 5th season of the popular programme.
Ideally all sexually active young people should have a Chlamydia test every year, or when they change sexual partners. Make sure you don't have Chlamydia - get a free and confidential test during May.
About MAYbe campaign
The MAYbe campaign (http://www. check-kit. org. uk) is an intensive information and Chlamydia testing drive by the NHS (http://www. nhs. uk/Pages/homepage. aspx) that runs throughout the month of May throughout West London in the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham.
###
