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Fitness & Health

12th Apr 2016

Startling survey shows that Irish people are having more unprotected sex than before

Paul Moore

STI cases have also risen.

A survey carried out by Healthy Ireland has revealed that 17% of people having sex with someone outside of a steady relationship did not use any form of protection. A new campaign that was launched by the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme and the Irish Family Planning Association is encouraging people to ask their pharmacist for advice about their sexual health and contraception needs.

The research also showed that there has been an increase in the number of sexually transmitted infection (STI) notifications in the last number of years. Only 3,361 were reported in 1995 while 12,626 notifications were treated in 2014.

IPU President Kathy Maher says “80% of STIs are symptomless. For that reason, even if you feel healthy, if you have had unprotected sex, you should ask your pharmacist for advice about getting tested. Early diagnosis is critical in helping to prevent the spread of STIs, as well as maximising the health outcomes of the infected person.”