Given young people may be more likely to engage in sexual activities during upcoming school leavers events, WA Department of Health is taking the opportunity to encourage GPs to discuss prevention, testing and treatment of STIs with all young people who may be sexually active or thinking about becoming sexually active.
Research shows although young people have high trust in doctors, they often do not feel confident to initiate conversations about sexual health. The highest chlamydia notification rates occur among people aged 15 to 24 years, with recent data showing that gonorrhoea rates have increased by 26 per cent compared to the previous 12-month period.
WA Department of Health resources to assist young patients and their parents include:
- Get the Facts – Website for young people offering reliable information, free STI testing, a map that shows where to find free condoms in WA, and where confidential questions can be submitted.
- Talk Soon. Talk often – Downloadable book and website to support parents to have conversations with their teens about relationships and sex.
Practices can also order hard copies of brochures via shbbvp@health.wa.gov.au on topics including STIs, contraception, se