Students at Macclesfield College had a visit this week from “Team Chlamydia”, an NHS screening team who tour colleges and schools in East Cheshire.
Three members of the team were drafted in and invited all students to attend a free Chlamydia screening. 14 Health and Social Care students from the College accompanied them to assist with the challenging task of convincing their friends to take part.
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| College students raise awareness of health screening |
Maureen Anderson-Smith, the tutor who helped organise the occasion, praised the students enthusiasm: “The Team had never had such a great response”, she said, “not only from females, but also a large number of males who are normally hard to reach.” She went on to praise the maturity of all participating students regarding this sensitive issue and their “concern for the health and wellbeing of individuals” which resulted in the success of the day. It was thanks to their gentle coercion, and the promise of free goodie bags containing glow-in-the-dark condoms, that finally convinced so many students to participate.
The importance of these tests cannot be stressed enough. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection, affecting 1 in 10 sexually active people under the age of 25. Normally it carries no symptoms yet can result in infertility in both genders if left untreated. It has been a hot topic of Government debate resulting in the Chlamydia Screening Programme.
The Chlamydia Screening Programme is a national scheme whereby anybody under the age of 25 can have a free Chlamydia test, either by the touring NHS team or at a local clinic. The test is quick and easy and if it is positive, the solution is a simple course of antibiotics.
If you have any queries about Chlamydia, or would like to be screened, more information can be found at www.gettested.nhs.uk, along with a list of local testing clinics.
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