Friday, September 21, 2007

Loopallu press release


Have you packed your condoms
for Loopallu music festival?

The Loopallu music festival is taking place this weekend (21-22 September) and Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland (THT) is offering festival goers free condoms, femidoms, dams and lube from the THT centre in Inverness before they head off.

In Scotland the number of people diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection is rising. In 2006, the numbers of diagnoses of chlamydia increased by 9%, gonorrhoea diagnoses rose by 7%, and reported cases of warts increased by 7% compared to diagnoses made in 2005. The number of HIV diagnoses in Scotland also continues to rise with 5150 people who have been diagnosed.

Agnes Boes, Senior Health Promotion Specialist in Inverness said "Five thousand people will be heading off to the Loopallu Festival this weekend to see their favourite bands. Some of them will inevitably be having sex. HIV and sexually transmitted infections are on the increase, so it’s important for them to be armed with more than waterproof jackets as protection. We don’t want people to come home with more than their festival wristband."

Agnes adds: “We want to remind people that if you’re going to Loopallu this weekend don’t forget to pick up your free condoms from THT at 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. The centre is open every weekday from 9.30am -12.30pm and from 1.30pm - 4.30pm. We can also provide all the information and advice you need about safer sex.”

For more information on the services available at THT in Inverness contact: 01463 711 585.

Notes to Editors

Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, providing a wide range of services across Scotland, England and Wales. The charity also campaigns and lobbies for greater political and public understanding of the personal, social and medical impact of HIV and sexual health.
The Loopallu music festival takes place this weekend from 21-22 September and is based in Ullapool, on the shores of Lochbroom in North West Scotland.
Figures are from the Department of Health: Diagnoses and rates of selected STIs seen at GUM clinics: 2002 – 2006; National & Strategic Health Authority Level Summary tables and Health Protection Scotland: HIV Infection and AIDS: Quarterly report to 30 June 2007

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