SDLP Youth have expressed concern at the increase in the number of young people with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in the North of Ireland.

Vice Chair Peter Armstrong said, “SDLP Youth have been campaigning on sexual health, within a wider young people welfare campaign, for some time and unfortunately this news just proves that awareness is still low. Young people in the North seem to have ‘it will not happen to me’ syndrome.

“There needs to be a radical change in culture. It is important that young feel comfortable to talk about their sexual health. They require increased access to proper education and information and above all sexually active young people need to be encouraged to visit health clinics on a regular basis.”