Safe sex

Last updated: 01 November 2007

Safe sex

During the holiday season and at other times, NSW Health is reminding people to practise safe sex by using condoms with new and casual sex partners.

NSW Health has also issued a warning about the dangers especially when drinking or using party drugs.

Drinking and party drugs can put people in dangerous situations, such as having unsafe sex; contracting sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis; unwanted pregnancy; violence; and criminal activity.

Practising safe sex is crucial in light of the disturbing trend of HIV notifications in NSW.

224 people in NSW were diagnosed with HIV in the first six months of 2003, representing an 18 per cent increase on new cases for the same period last year.

In 2002, 15 per cent of HIV notifications were attributed to heterosexual contact and this trend has continued for 2003.

Among heterosexual people the most common source of HIV is a sexual partner from high prevalence countries.

High prevalence countries include particularly South East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Backpackers are known to be a high-risk group for sexually transmitted infections. South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service is targeting this group for its summer safe sex campaign.

HIV infection continues to be a serious and chronic illness, and all sexually active people need to take steps to protect themselves and their partners.

The most effective way to protect yourself and your new and casual partners is to consistently practise safe sex by always using condoms. For more information contact your local sexual health clinic under 's' in the White Pages or call the HIV info line on 1800 451 600 or (02) 9332 9700.