Today (Monday 1 April 2019) marks the start of Brighton & Hove STI Testing Week, where local residents are encouraged to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The campaign to tackle high rates of STIs in the city is led by leading HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust with support from Brighton and Hove City Council’s public health team.
Brighton has the highest rates of gonorrhoea and chlamydia outside of London and levels are increasing. Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed bacterial STI in Brighton with almost 2,000 diagnoses in 2017.
STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, can be easily passed on through sexual contact and are often symptomless. That’s why regular testing is so important, as well as helping to minimise the chances of infection being passed on.
The chlamydia screening team will be hosting various events throughout the week at MET College, Sussex University and Brighton University where they will be offering free testing.
In addition to this, the outreach team will be in Charles Street Tap, Legends and Subline on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 April.
There are a range of testing events across the city during the week, encouraging local people to get tested for STIs at the following locations:
Claude Nicol Centre
- Monday 1 April to Sunday 7 April.
- Walk-in and booked appointments.
- To book, call 01273 523 388.
Terrence Higgins Trust (Ship Street clinic)
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10am to 5pm.
- Thursday 4 April, 10am to 8pm.
Hove Sauna
- Tuesday 2 April, 9am to 11am .
Brighton Sauna
- Wednesday 3 April, 5:30pm to 8pm.
Alternatively, free STI postal test kits can be ordered from Brighton and Hove Health and Contraception Service.
Alan Boyd, Health Promotion Practitioner at Terrence Higgins Trust in Brighton, said: ‘We have very high STI rates in the area including the highest in the South East region and one of the highest outside of London.
'Overall, around one in 10 people we see at Terrence Higgins Trust in Brighton tests positive for an STI without showing any symptoms. This is why we want to use this week to raise awareness of the importance of STI testing.
'Not only is testing easy, painless and free to everyone, it’s available across the city this week in bars and clubs, as well community venues and at Terrence Higgins Trust’s Ship Street office.'
Terrence Higgins Trust’s Brighton centre is at 61 Ship Street. For more information contact 01273 764200 or info@tht.org.uk.
Brighton and Hove STI Testing Week takes place from Monday 1 to Sunday 7 April 2019.
