THE sexual health of young people in St George and Sutherland Shire was a key message during Youth Week with the release of new figures showing people 16-24 years have the highest rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in NSW.
Kogarah's Short Street Sexual Health Clinic director, Josephine Lusk said there were more than 12,000 chlamydia notifications in NSW last year in that age group — a 10 per cent increase on the previous year.
"Rates in St George and Sutherland Shire reflect that trend," Dr Lusk said.
"This is a disease that tends to be over-represented in younger people.
"Chlamydia tends to be an infection that is passed on by people moving from one relationship to another.
"People who are changing partners or have had unprotected sex should have a test.
"They may not have symptoms of untreated chlamydia but it can cause infertility in both males and females and pelvic pain in females."
For more information on sexual health services in South Eastern Sydney visit health.nsw.gov.au/sexualhealth or contact the sexual health info line on 1800 451 624.
