Take PRIDE in your Sexual Health

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to ‘Take PRIDE’ in their sexual health during this year’s Belfast Pride Festival and to take up the offer of free vaccination if eligible.

Frances Dowds, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “We want to get as many people as possible talking openly about their sexual health – this includes discussing and understanding their options around STI testing and vaccination eligibility.

“Taking PRIDE in your sexual health is so important for individual health and wellbeing. Talking openly with our partners about our likes, dislikes and boundaries, choosing to always use protection and getting vaccinated if eligible to help protect against certain infections are fundamental in supporting positive mental and physical health. They also enable us to have healthy, loving relationships.

“Talking openly and understanding you and your partners sexual history will help end the stigma associated with sexual transmitted diseases such as HIV. Today, someone diagnosed early with HIV will be able to access highly effective treatment, for free, which means they can lead a full and healthy life. Someone on this treatment cannot pass HIV to a sexual partner or anyone else. HIV is not a barrier to having relationships, to having children or to leading a full and healthy life.

“The only effective method to protect against STIs is by consistent and correct condom use during all types of sexual activity – vaginal, anal, and oral. It’s worth remembering that not using a condom puts you at risk of exposure to possible infections from everyone your partner has ever had sex with. 

“The good news is that access to and take up of testing for HIV and other STIs has increased in recent years and free, discreet and confidential home testing kits are readily available from www.sh24.org.uk for people with no symptoms. If you have symptoms of an STI, you should contact your local GUM clinic or GP.”

For information on the symptoms of HIV and STIs, as well as information on conditions which may have no symptoms, and for details of Northern Ireland GUM clinics, visit www.sexualhealthni.info and www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/sexual-health

Vaccination

As well as talking openly with our partners about our likes, dislikes and boundaries and choosing to always use protection, it is really important to consider taking up offers for vaccination if eligible as these vaccines can help to protect you from various infections. During Belfast PRIDE the PHA will be offering HPV and mpox vaccinations to those eligible on Saturday 26 July.

A team of healthcare professionals from the PHA and vaccinators from the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust will be located at Pride village in Custom House Square during the festival.

Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at the Public Health Agency (PHA), said: “We are strongly encouraging those attending this year’s Belfast Pride Festival who are eligible for vaccination, to make use of this opportunity and help protect themselves against both HPV and mpox.

HPV vaccine

“The HPV vaccine reduces your chances of getting human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that's spread through skin contact (usually when having sex). Most types of HPV are harmless, but some are linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer and genital warts. Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men are at higher risk from HPV and therefore are encouraged to protect themselves though vaccination.

“The vaccine is available to gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men up to and including those aged 45 years of age.

Mpox vaccine

“Mpox is still in circulation in the UK but there are things you can do to protect yourself. Vaccination helps protect against mpox and has played a vital role in reducing spread.

“Mpox can be passed on through close physical contact, including during sex. The mpox vaccine is safe and it works. It’s particularly beneficial for men who have multiple male sexual partners, or who go to sex-on-premises venues.

“To find out more about either vaccine come and have a chat at the PHA stand and you can get a first or second dose of vaccination if you’re eligible.

“You will also be able to speak to staff who will be on hand to signpost and provide information about other sexually transmitted infections and ways in which you can protect yourself.”

More information on the HPV vaccination for gay and bisexual men can be found at www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/hpv-vaccination-gay-bisexual-or-other-men-who-have-sex-men

Information on the vaccine used to prevent mpox is available at www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/protecting-you-mpox