In a bid to reduce levels of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) chlamydia among young LGBT people in Telford and Shropshire, HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust will be inviting young people attending this year’s Telford Pride to take a chlamydia test during their day out. THT staff will be offering the tests free of charge throughout Sunday 8 August from the charity’s stand at The Three Furnaces.

Testing is a very simple process; young people are given a sample pot and asked to discreetly provide a urine sample in the nearest public toilet. Samples will then be collected and posted off to the lab, with the results available within a week. Those who test positive will be directed to health services where they can obtain treatment for the infection free of charge. THT staff will also hand out condoms and safer sex information from the charity’s stand at the event.

In 2008, those in the 16-24 age bracket accounted for nearly half of all STIs in the UK, and approximately one in fourteen under 25s in the UK has undiagnosed chlamydia. Part of the reason chlamydia is so widespread is that most people with the infection have no symptoms, and it only takes one sexual encounter to pass it on. If left untreated, chlamydia also significantly increases the risk of HIV transmission.

Lotte Hakeman, Centre Manager for THT in Telford, said: “Many young people feel nervous about taking an STI test, but they needn’t. Modern tests are quick and non-invasive; after they’ve done it once, people often wonder what they were so worried about. We hope that, by actually getting out there and showing young LGBT people how easy it is, they’ll be encouraged to test for STIs year after year.”

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Notes to editors

1. Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity with centres across England, Scotland and Wales. We're here to provide information and advice about HIV and sexual health and offer a range of services including sexual health checks, counselling and support groups.  We campaign for a world where people with HIV live healthy lives, free from prejudice and discrimination and we promote good sexual health as a right and reality for all. Terrence Higgins Trust relies on donations to deliver a wide range of services. To make a donation, visit www.tht.org.uk