The nudge comes ahead of next week's Sexual Health Awareness (SHA) Week.
Run by Brook, this year's seven-day focus on sexual health is dedicated to combatting stigmas and misinformation online.
The sexual health and wellbeing charity's concerns around taboos and false data are supported by KCC's latest sexual health needs assessment for Kent.
This 2024 analysis found:
- fear of being judged still stops some people seeking help
- some research shows a link between dating apps, risky sexual behaviours and STIs
- local STI testing rates are rising but more slowly than England
- Chlamydia testing rates for women living in Kent aged 15-24 are lower than England and the South East
- nationally, use of hormonal contraception continues to fall while terminations of unplanned pregnancies rise.
“Using trusted websites such as Kent County Council's kent.gov.uk, or nhs.uk and the NHS App, will reduce the possibility you make choices about your sexual health based on inaccurate information”
KCC Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Ellen Schwartz, said: “Nationally and locally we are seeing online information influence attitudes to sexual behaviour and health.
"Using trusted websites such as kent.gov.uk,or nhs.uk and the NHS App, will reduce the possibility you make choices about your sexual health based on inaccurate information. and the NHS App, will reduce the possibility you make choices about your sexual health based on inaccurate information. They can also help you find the right service for your needs.”
A network of 11 sexual health clinics cover Kent. A 12th is soon to open at the Dover Discovery Centre as part of ongoing efforts to expand local sexual health services. Many of the county’s pharmacies also offer sexual health advice and some treatments.
- find a clinic.
- find the best service for you
- if you prefer to talk to someone you can call your local team in East Kent on 0300 790 0245 or West Kent on 0300 373 0709 to book a phone appointment.
“...whether it is a fling or a serious thing, please get tested”
KCC Cabinet Member for Public Health Diane Morton, said: “Having several partners or unprotected sex puts you at higher risk of getting an STI. It's also possible that you, or partners, may not have any symptoms but could still pass an infection on.
"So, whether it is a fling or a serious thing, please get tested - free screening kits can be delivered direct to your home, or nominated, address.
"And look out for our ‘get tested be protected’ and ‘swipe right for sexual health advice’ messages on social media in the coming months as we are set to launch a new sexual health awareness campaign."
- Find out more about Sexual Health Awareness Week and follow #SHW25 on socials.
