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Condom ads target teens

Authorities trying to curb incidence of infections

By: Staff Writer

Friday, Oct. 26, 2012 at 7:44 AM | Comments: 0

The getsomecondoms.com website is only one of many media outlets for the advertising blitz.

With one in four Grade 9 students reportedly sexually active, Winnipeg's health authority is targeting teens with a condom campaign to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is using, posters, bus shelters, the Internet and radio advertisements and the slogan "Get some condoms" to encourage youths to use protection every time they have sex.

"Our new campaign tells youth that because many STIs often have mild or no symptoms, you can't tell who has one and you can't predict when you might get one," Dr. Pierre Plourde, medical officer of health, said in a press release.

Condoms are nearly 97 per cent effective in preventing STIs when used properly. "Youth and young adults continue to be among the groups with the highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea," Plourde said. "Increasing condom use with sexually active teens can help to bring down these rates."

The website (www.getsomecondoms.com) offers teens information to help them decide if they're ready to have sex and how to protect themselves from STIs and unplanned pregnancies by using a condom every time with every partner.

The website also directs youths to teen clinics across the city to access confidential health services and win tickets to an advanced première of the last movie in the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2. More than 400 Winnipeg teens will get a sneak peek on Nov. 15. The Twilight première will kick off the new Heads up?! tuques youths will be able to pick up for free when they visit teen clinics after Nov. 15.

"We need to provide youth with the information they need to make the right decisions about protecting themselves if they choose to have sex," Plourde said.

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