With levels of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhoea at record levels, students are encouraged to take steps to ensure they are practising safe sex.
During Freshers' Week, Trade Sexual Health, a Leicester-based sexual health charity working with under-represented communities including LGBT and new arrivals, will be on hand for advice about practicing safe sex.
C-Card, a service that provides access to free condoms at various local venues, will also be on campus, giving out free condoms and helping you sign up to their services. C-Cards are available from DSU reception and will enable the holder to collect free condoms from reception during opening hours.
See the DSU website for more information.
Guidance released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises all new and returning students to use a condom with any new or casual partners and to get tested regularly to prevent passing infections on to others.
Many sexual health services in England now offer free at-home testing kits for those not showing any symptoms of an STI who would prefer to test themselves at home.
If you do have symptoms, you can find a sexual health clinic on the NHS website. Alternatively, you can book in with your GP or visit the Haymarket Health in the Leicester town centre.
Posted on Friday 22 September 2023