Young people target of new sexual health study

The three AIDS organizations in New Brunswick are conducting an online survey to see how much young people know about sexual health as part of an effort to improve programs and education.

The impetus of the online survey is the soaring rate of sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia.

Chlamydia affects one in 10 young women and one in 20 young men between the ages of 20 and 25.

But the AIDS organizations want to know why young people aren't getting the message about the dangers of unprotected sex.

Debby Warren, the executive director of AIDS Moncton, said the groups' survey of people aged 20 to 29 is designed to answer that question.

"We're trying to find out: do they access services, what type of services do they access or would they like to be able to access, we want to know if they need to know more information about sexual health issues," she said.

A public health official said in February that young people are unfazed by the rising chlamydia rates.

Warren said the surveys results will be shared around the health community to provide more information and better programs.The AIDS Moncton's executive directorsaid the results may not necessarily lead to spending more money.

"Often its about just using our resources a bit differently,"Warrensaid.

This survey is focusing on young people, but Warren said the goal is to eventually widen the scope of the research.

"Down the road we're thinking about seniors and other people who are having unprotected sex and lack of knowledge too," she said.

The online survey runs until the middle of March.