Stamping Out Chlamydia at Summernats

ACT Health will offer free Chlamydia screening at this year’s Summernats Festival as part of its broader efforts to stamp out the STI (Sexually Transmissible Infection).

ACT Health Minister, Katy Gallagher MLA, said today that screening was an important part of the ‘Stamp Out Chlamydia (SOC)’ project that began in October and aims to increase access to testing and treatment for young people in the Canberra community.

The SOC project is a collaboration between ACT Health, Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT, and the ANU.

“Chlamydia is the most prevalent STI in Australia and currently affects 1 in 14 sexually active young people in Canberra alone,” Ms Gallagher said.

“The Stamp Out Chlamydia project has received funding of $309,000 in 2009-10, $323,000 in 2010-11 and $333,000 in 2011-12,” she said.

“The SOC Team will offer Chlamydia screening at Summernats as a community intervention that targets not only Canberra’s car enthusiasts, but also those from around Australia.

“The SOC Team will offer patrons the opportunity to have a free Chlamydia screen and free treatment where Chlamydia is found, and will also provide thousands of free condoms at Summernats as part of this initiative.

“SOC testing is available on-the-spot, rather than asking patrons to seek testing from their own GP, which often doesn't happen, particularly for young males.

“The SOC Team presents an unobtrusive, confidential and easy way for people to access clinical staff and health information in relation to their sexual health and wellbeing,” Ms Gallagher said.

It is hoped SOC's presence at Summernats will result in hundreds of individuals getting screened on-the-spot.

7 January 2010