Did you know that every year more and more people in your age group are becoming infected with STIs?
About 65% of all sexually transmitted infections are among men and women aged 16 to 24. That means, for example, that one in every ten young people who have had sex probably carries the chlamydia virus… even though they may not know it.
And did you know that in the UK we have more teenage pregnancies than any other European country?
Teenage pregnancy can have many unhappy consequences. Unfortunately teenage mothers – compared to those giving birth when aged over 24 – are three times more likely to suffer post-natal depression, have a 60% higher chance of their baby dying in infancy and, by the time they are 30, are 22% more likely to be living in poverty.
Only condoms can protect against STIs and unplanned pregnancies, so it stands to reason that they aren’t being used as often as they should be.
How would you persuade people your age to think twice before risking unprotected sex?
- Design a poster to get your message across.
- See what others think of your idea.
- You could win £500 plus £200 of Durex products.
- Your poster could be publicised nationwide.
- Or you could win one of 19 runners up prizes.