Teens at risk of disease
Only four in 10 young Aussies practicing safe sex
AUSTRALIAN teenagers are putting themselves at huge sexual risk with new data showing only four in 10 teens practice safe sex all the time.
The shocking statistic comes as Australia’s only youth-based sexual health service raising awareness about HIV is set to close its doors after the government axed funding last year.
According to official health data, only 43 per cent of teens in years 10-12 say they always used a condom when they had sex in the previous year.
A further 39 per cent used condoms only ‘sometimes’ and 13 per cent ‘never’ used condoms, according to the figures in Australia’s Heath 2016.
The statistics come as a number of sexually transmissible diseases (syphilis, HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhoea) are on the rise, in particular, notification rates for chlamydia have increased by over 80 per cent over the past 10 years.
CEO of youth sexual health service YEAH! Alischa Ross said her 12-year-old service would have to close its doors this year after the Turnbull government axed funding.
YEAH! was set up by Ms Ross after both her mother and sister died from the infection.
Ms Ross said a $500,000 funding grant was last year awarded to Family Planning NSW instead of YEAH!, meaning the service has no future funds to continue its work.
“Losing that funding meant the end for our organisation,” Ms Ross told News Corp.
“I don’t understand why national funding would go to a state-based organisation.
“Youth services are such a tiny part of what family planning does and they have no track record of significant online engagement.”
Ms Ross said YEAH! operates across five states and has the largest online and face-toface reach when it comes to sexual health.
“We reach more people on sexual health than any other organisation ever has,” she said.
But, since funding was cut last July, Ms Ross has been keeping things going on her savings alone and will have to shut her doors within weeks.
“We have struggled along for seven months but there is no alternative way to keep things going.”
A spokesman for Health Minister Greg Hunt said Fam- ily Planning NSW was chosen to be awarded government money above YEAH! because it was the best service for the job. This is despite it being a state-based service and YEAH! already having a significant online presence.
“Family Planning NSW was selected based on merit, value for money, innovation and a proven track record in delivery effective BBV and STI prevention and education activities,” Mr Hunt’s spokesman said.