The University of Sheffield’s Student Union has been holding its first ever Sexual Health and Guidance week over the past week. 

Events during the week have combined giveaways and club nights with education on how to avoid sexually transmitted diseases. 

Today (8th May), students have been given the chance to have a free test for sexually transmitted diseases at the Students’ Union, as part of the ‘Mini Market,’ where support groups are giving advice and support for various sexual health issues.

Amy Stocks, of Sexual Health Sheffield, who operate in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and were at the Students’ Union today, described how the purpose of their work is to raise awareness of how sexually transmitted diseases can be spread and how they can be avoided. 

She said: “We want people having safer sex and less transmission [of STIs]. We want everyone to take STI tests and understand the work we do at our clinics. 

“I’m a Sheffield Hallam student, so we go all over Sheffield, here, Hallam, Sheffield College, to raise awareness all across the city about sexual health.”

There were also stalls giving away free condoms, discussing diseases like testicular cancer, and drawing attention to higher infection rates of sexually transmitted infections if you are part of an ethnic minority. 

The week will continue with sexual health themed club nights at the Foundry, with special editions of Roar and Pop Tarts scheduled. 

Much like the rest of the country, the infection rate of sexually transmitted infections has declined slightly in Sheffield in recent years, following a noticeable rise that was partly attributed to a knock-on effect from the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

The UK Health Security Agency, who analyse data surrounding infection rates, found that there was a 3% decrease of new diagnosis in Yorkshire and Humber in the most recent release, which covers up to the end of 2023, although there has been an increase for some specific infections.