Figures suggest that around half of the population is likely to contract some form of STD by the time they hit 25. Whilst it is very wise to focus on promoting safe sex and the use of prophylactics, this is still unlikely to help beat the problem totally. Therefore, another area that has needed a lot of focus is helping young people diagnose and therefore hopefully cure any such diseases.
The spread of STDs is as much about ignorance as it is about contraception. By not being aware that they have a sexually transmitted disease, there is a far higher chance that they will pass such a disease on. Therefore, by helping people become aware of whether or not they have an STD, we can instantly help to see the figures drop.
Many young people don’t choose to undergo Chlamydia or HIV tests simply due to the fact that they feel that such a test will be embarrassing. However, this is slowly changing as the emphasis is shifted from awareness of contraception to encompass awareness of STDs. In turn, people can now easily receive STD and HIV tests through the post which they can carry out at home in their own time and not have to worry about any potential embarrassment.
Visiting a private clinic is also far easier than it previously had been with many clinics being open far later and offering much more scope for walk in appointments rather than the uncomfortable appointments during specific periods which lead to numerous people being cramped together in rooms feeling rather self-conscious.
Either way, whether young people choose a home test or a private clinic, there are far more possibilities and the home tests are helping more and more people understand if they need treatment, and in turn, we are starting to see the figures finally start to fall.