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Young offered gig tickets for chlamydia test
SWAP your urine for the chance to win VIP tickets to a secret “urban” gig. That’s the pitch from health chiefs desperate to convince young people to be screened for chlamydia.
Just post your pee by a certain date and under-25s will be entered into a prize draw to win tickets for an as yet unannounced gig in a secret location in Islington.
NHS Islington has spent £40,000 on a hip, young campaign to target 15-25-years olds through pubs, clubs, colleges, Facebook and YouTube, even promising to send screening results by text.
Youngsters have been asked to vote on YouTube for three top acts they want to see including Lethal Bizzle, Plan B, Kano, Mongrel, Lady Sovereign, Roll Deep, Roots Manuva and Tommy Reilly, who will play to a crowd of chlamydia-screened youths.
The Hooked Up Beats campaign encourages young people to be screened at a series of college events and offers self-test kits, which can be requested by texting URLIFE to 80010.
Home tests include a pre-paid envelope so the urine sample can be sent back to the lab, with results returned within about two weeks. Tests must be returned to the screening centre by March 31, to ensure entry to the draw.
One in 10 sexually active young people under 25 have chlamydia and many do not know they have it as there are no symptoms.
Public health specialist Dr Renu Bindra said: “If we want to make chlamydia tests easy, then we have to give young people the opportunity to do it where they are most comfortable and I don’t think there’s anywhere better than their own homes.
“We decided the NHS didn’t have the experience or creative ideas to do this. So we asked a specialist agency to go and talk to young people and find out what they think is fun.
“Islington kids said they like music and gigs. It was about making it fun and motivating people.”
She added: “We’re paying the agency for marketing, research and gathering expertise. They are using Facebook to target Islington groups. There’s going to be a lot more work afterwards. We want a longer, more sustainable drive.
“It’s not just once a year or once in a lifetime, you should be tested every time you have a new sexual partner. We’re really proud that we’ve come up with such an exciting concept.”
The scheme has received a mixed response from young people.
Mateus Lutumba, 18, who lives in Finsbury Park, said: “It’s a good idea, but I don’t think it should just be for STDs. It should also be for cancer, specially for young men.
“I understand some people may be wary, but that’s the only way to stay safe.”
Gary Miller, a personal adviser for Connexions, said: “We need to make young people aware of health screenings. Young people get in and out of relationships quite quickly. It’s a positive step.”
The exclusive VIP gig will be held at a secret location in May. For competition terms and conditions visit www.ur
life.org.uk.
Young people can get a chlamydia self-test pack by calling 020 7530 3625 or 020 7530 3630.
Visit www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=66746968097 for more details. |
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