The sexual health of Maitland's young people has come into focus with a new free clinic designed to combat the rate in transmitted infections.
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The weekly outreach clinic - to be held in Maitland - is the first of its kind in the Hunter and will provide support for people aged 12-25 years.
Hunter New England Health nurse manager, immunology and infectious diseases, Glenda Entwisle said young people are identified as the having the highest risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Chlamydia.
"Chlamydia is often known as a silent infection because approximately 50 per cent of men and 75 per cent of women have no symptoms," Ms Entwisle said.
"If left untreated Chlamydia can cause pain, infertility and place people at greater risk of contracting other STIs including HIV."
About 10,500 people are living with diagnosed HIV infection in New South Wales.
"Increasing testing rates are vital because HIV is generally transmitted by people who don't know they have it," Ms Entwisle said.
"Most infections reported in 2013 were in gay and homosexually-active men (78 per cent) with heterosexual cases accounting for 17 per cent."
Clinical and Service Integration Manager at headspace Maitland, Fiona Duignan said the location of the sexual health clinic was ideal for new and existing clients.
"We are referring our young clients, who are already coming here for a range of issues relating to mental and physical health, across the hall for sexual health screening," Ms Duignan said.
All STI testing, including Chlamydia and HIV screening can be completed at the clinic and hepatitis vaccinations are available for eligible clients.
The clinic runs every Monday from noon until 5pm at headspace Maitland, 73 Elgin Street, Maitland.