Latest news
- First Nations Health Worker Traineeship (FNHWT) program launches at AHCSA
- AHCSA Sexual Health team present at Aboriginal Sexual Health Workshop, Darwin
- Aboriginal Maternal Infant Care (AMIC) course update
- 13 February 2024: National Apology Day
- Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG – 1 August 1932 - 4 February 2024
- Free Mooditj Leadership Training Course, Port Augusta
- Smoking ceremony at AHCSA
- Australia Day 2024
- AHCSA delegation meets with Federal Minister of Health & Aged Care
- SHINE SA brings Mooditj to AHCSA
- AHCSA announces management restructure
- 2023's final face-to-face class concludes at the AHCSA RTO
- AMIC Project Update: Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Care (AMIC) training back on the agenda for 2024
- AHCSA RTO: new CERT III and CERT IV classes commence
- AHCSA and members attend NACCHO annual conference
- Voice to Parliament defeated - self-care resources
- Indigenous bowel-cancer screening
- NACCHO COVID-19 Vaccination Promotion Competition 2023
- Six-week STI/BBV screening program commences at Pika Wiya
- Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum date announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
- Federal Minister of Health Hon. Mark Butler visits AHCSA
- Oodnadatta desalination plant commences operation
- Drug Alert notice: protonitazene
- NAIDOC Week 2023
- First Nations Philanthropic Funders Working Group focuses on COVID-19 preparation and recovery
- Naomi Thornthwaite and Kim Morey present at Lowitja 2023
- 2023 Lowitja Institute International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference, Cairns
- Cert IV student cook-off
- National Sorry Day
- South Australian Aboriginal Health Roundtable 2023
- Celebrating new certified Aboriginal health workers
- AHCSA RTO update
- SA becomes first Australian jurisdiction to create First Nations Voice to Parliament
- AHCSA TIS team members receive awards at national conference
- AHCSA's Josh Riessen presents on Point of Care Testing for Infectious Diseases
- AHCSA delivers suicide alertness workshops in SA Far West Coast
- World Hearing Day 2023
- National Condom Day 2023
- Voluntary Assisted Dying becomes legal in South Australia
- World AIDS Day
- AHCSA's Sexual Health Team Wins People's Choice Award SH Poster!
- Media Release - AHCSA RTO
- Mparntwe Aboriginal Sexual Health NT/SA Workshop
- Dr. Annapurna Nori chats all things COVID-19 Vaccination for Kids with Gordy Rigney
- NAIDOC Week Events to Attend Across South Australia
- AHCSA Wins National Award of Recognition at 2022 NATSIEHC!
- Aboriginal Oral Health Program (AOHP)
- Yadu Health - EOI: Medical Receptionist
- World No Tobacco Day 2022 with AHCSA's Puyu Blasters
- AHCSA gives Yadu Aboriginal Health Service a Titan!
- Aboriginal Heath and Reconciliation Week With Renee Colbung
- Meet AHCSA's Quality Systems Improvement Coordinator - Venni!
- Strength and Power of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in South Australia
- Is it time for an STI checkup?
- Urgent Mental Health Care Center offers an alternative to mental health support
- IWD 2022 - Celebrating AHCSA's Female Aboriginal Leaders
- AHCSA History Project
- 15 things NOT to do when using a RAT
- Fight the Bite and Mosquito Control
- The Aboriginal Flag has been freed!
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV Awareness Week
- South Australia's COVID-Ready Plan
- 2019/2020 Annual Report
22 March 2022
Is it time for an STI check-up?
The Goanna Survey (2020) found only half of the young Aboriginal people aged 16-19 who were surveyed had ever been tested for STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections).
Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of STIs – they’re really common. In fact, around 1 in 6 people will catch an STI in their lifetime, and people under 30 are at the highest risk.
Condoms are the best way to prevent STIs, but they’re not 100% effective. There are also some STIs that condoms are less effective at preventing, such as herpes, HPV and syphilis, which are spread through skin-to-skin contact. That’s why regular STI check ups are an important part of staying healthy.
Many STIs don’t even have symptoms, so you could have one and not even know. If you do have symptoms down there, it’s even more important to get tested. If left untreated STIs can cause long term harm.
The good news is the most common STIs are easy to test for and easy to treat! Many can be cured completely (although remember you can catch them more than once), and for others there are good treatments available.
Young people who are sexually active should have an STI check-up every 6-12 months, but it’s also a good idea to have one if you’ve had unprotected sex, if you have a new partner, or if your sexual partner has any symptoms.
It can sometimes be tricky or embarrassing to ask for an STI check-up, so here are some helpful things to know:
- You can ask to see a male or female health worker
- Ask for a general health check when you make your appointment – you don’t have to tell the reception staff you want to have an STI check-up
- Clinics must observe strict confidentiality – they can’t tell anyone about your visit
- You can take a friend or family member if you don’t want to go alone
If you think you might be due, ask about STI screening at your local Aboriginal Health Service.