Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

SAFE SEX MESSAGE FINALLY GETTING THROUGH TO HOLIDAY BRITS

A recent survey reveals young UK citizens ARE taking note of the holiday safe sex message with over 80% of under 25s saying they WOULD NOT have unprotected sex on holiday.

The research commissioned by TROJAN CONDOMS shows a positive move towards safer sex on holiday for young brits. Over 2,000 under 25’s completed the anonymous online survey which marks the launch of a new campaign by Trojan Condoms, Ministry of Sound and sextoys.co.uk, to make condoms essential wear this summer.

While fun in the sun is always on the agenda, STIs and unprotected sex should never be on the menu. So TROJAN, MINISTRY OF SOUND and sextoys.co.uk are targeting holiday makers to make sure all they come home with are good memories.

Trojan is giving away 1000's of FREE CONDOMS through sextoys.co.uk to support the message and has also teamed up with Brooke to offer holiday makers advice which is available online at www.trojanpleasure.co.uk.

These new results compared with a survey in 2003 by the Centre for Public Health at Liverpool ‘John Moores’ University show an increase in positive behaviour. It seems there's a new attitude emerging where young UK citizens are taking heed of the condom message. Results include:

rLess risks… 83% of males and 89% of females said they would NOT have unprotected sex on holiday. (60% said they had used a condom in the 2003 survey)

rLess partners… The majority stated one partner as an acceptable amount in one holiday. There was a fall to 4% of men and 2% of women citing 6 or more partners as acceptable. (11% of men and 3% of women had sex with six or more partners in the 2003 study findings)

rMore condoms… More than 50% of those surveyed said they do pre pack condoms for holidays

rHolidays not just about sex… When asked the main reason for holidaying 51% said to relax over meeting people and boozing. (compared to 2003 survey where one in five said main reason for travelling to Ibiza was for sex)

rRemaining faithful… Men are more likely to be unfaithful than women with 28% of men saying they would cheat compared to 18% of women.

There’s still a lot of work to do in championing the safe sex message:

rSPREADING THE RISK… 61% of people said they WOULD NOT tell their partner they’d had unprotected sex with somebody else.

Why this change in attitude? Helen Knox founder of Sexplained Foundation says:

“The logical explanation for this change in attitude is that people are hearing too many horror stories from friends. More young people are being diagnosed with Chlamydia and other STIs and are telling friends, so word of mouth is encouraging people to protect themselves.”

Trojan spokesperson Neale Hunt says:

“These findings are extremely encouraging and we hope through this campaign the essential condom message is reinforced and people insist on using condoms at home and abroad.”

Trojan is giving away 1000's of free condoms to make sure the message continues to get through. Get free TROJAN:

PRE HOLIDAY – online at sextoys.co.uk

ON HOLIDAY – at Ministry of Sound parties in Ibiza
WHEN YOU GET BACK – UK airports in association with Brook.

The campaign is housed at www.trojanpleasure.co.uk and includes information and advice from professionals Brook. Jan Barlow, Chief Executive of Brook, the sexual health charity for young people, said:

“For most of us going on holiday means relaxing, forgetting about our everyday worries, and often having a few drinks too. But whatever you do, don’t forget about the risks of unprotected sex just because you’re away from home and letting your hair down. If you have sex without using a condom you’re putting yourself at risk of an unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and even HIV.”

For full survey results, advice, FREE condoms and the chance to win a holiday to Ibiza and Ministry of Sound CD’s go to www.trojanpleasure.co.uk.


**Ends**

For more info, interview with professionals and images please contact: Christina Wright 020 7637 1237, chrissie@pr4.com

Notes:

Reference to Liverpool John Moores University findings online at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3454119.stm