Let's talk about sex - online

Young Australians are being asked to reveal all about their sex lives in an online survey.

Researchers from the National Centre for HIV Social Research (NCHSR) at the University of New South Wales are asking young people from across NSW to talk about sex in an online survey www.gettingdowntoit.net. The anonymous survey looks at sexual practices, sexual risks and young people's attitudes to sexuality and sexual health.

Recent research shows Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) rates in Australia have increased considerably. Because STI testing among young people is still low, most infections remain undetected and untreated.

"To improve young people's sexual health, it's essential to understand their experiences and needs, and what motivates or prevents young people from taking care of their bodies, their partners and their sexual health," says Professor John de Wit, NCHSR's Director.

Michael, 21, has participated in the survey. "I do talk about sex with friends, but there's always certain things we feel too embarrassed to talk about. In this survey, I can be completely open because it's anonymous."

Jessica, 19, adds: "I like the discussion board on Facebook. It's refreshing to read what other people think about certain topics, like buying condoms. Also, through the survey, I learnt facts about STIs that I didn't know before."

Around 2,000 young people aged 16-26 years are needed to complete the anonymous online survey accessible at www.gettingdowntoit.net

The survey is open for two months and results will be published later this year on the website as well as via the survey's Facebook group or Twitter@GettingDOWNtoit.

Getting down to it is an online research platform initiated by the National Centre for HIV Social Research, UNSW with support from the NSW STI Programs Unit.

Media contact: John De Wit | j.dewit@unsw.edu.au l 9385 6799| 0425 175 288