WITH the World Cup kicking off tomorrow, the organisation responsible for running sexual health services in Worcestershire is showing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) the red card.

Research shows one in ten British people aged 18 to 34 admitting drinking so much alcohol while watching sport, Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has launched a social media campaign promoting safe sex.

The organisation will be sharing a range of football-themed posters via Facebook and Twitter, using the hashtag #fulltimeforSTIs.

The trust’s health promotion specialist Kate Wilson said: “For many the World Cup is a great social as well as sporting event and it is important that people stay safe while enjoying the tournament.

“Our objective is to encourage those who are sexually active to practice safe sex and raise awareness about the risks of STIs, as well as to provide information about the help and advice we offer across Worcestershire”.

The trust’s sexual health service provides free and confidential support on issues including contraception, free condoms and testing and treatment for STIs.

Up to one in three people in the UK with HIV do not know they have it and every five minutes someone in the country is diagnosed with chalmydia.

For more on the campaign follow @WorcsHealthCare on Twitter or visit the organisation’s Facebook page.

For more information on sexual health visit www.playinitsafe.co.uk or follow @SHEducation on Twitter.