Condom schemes, such as C-Card, aim to ensure easy access to sexual health advice and free condoms for young people.
Local schemes have proved a successful element of strategies to reduce unprotected sex, rates of STIs and unplanned pregnancies. The updated guide showcases six years of practitioners’ experience commissioning, developing and providing these schemes.
Dr Anthony Nardone, Consultant Epidemiologist at PHE, commented:
Our survey of young adults found chlamydia screening has a positive impact on both health-seeking and sexual behaviour, and provides an important channel for the delivery of safer sex messages to young adults. This enhances the cost effectiveness of chlamydia screening, offering value beyond that of the testing itself.”
Simon Blake OBE, former Chief Executive of Brook, said at the time of the publication's launch:
Young people remain the age group most at risk of STIs in England. C-Card schemes are an effective way to help young people take responsibility for their sexual health; providing them with easy access to free contraception, education about sexual health and wellbeing, and are an opportunity to signpost to related services.”