Students are being urged to get tested for sexually transmitted infections as part of a university’s new awareness campaign.
To tackle stigma and raise awareness, students at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) have produced a series of short films about sexual health. The project, launched during freshers’ week, aims to normalise conversations around STIs and encourage more young people to get tested.
Health experts warn Scotland is seeing sustained levels of STIs, especially among young people.
It comes after Public Health Scotland reported a 59% increase in gonorrhoea diagnoses between 2019 and 2023 – the highest rates ever recorded, though it dipped slightly to 4,534 last year.
Young people remain the most at risk, with those under 30 making up over 70% of chlamydia cases in 2024.
STV NewsZoe Swann, a graduate of the university’s scriptwriting Master’s course, said she was excited to be a part of a project which was different from her usual creative work.
She told STV News: “I thought it would be a great opportunity to work in fields with no connection to what I usually write – drama, comedy or fiction.
“Sex and STIs are a difficult thing to talk about. It can be very tough – there is stigma attached.
“It’s important people don’t feel a sense of shame or embarrassment, so they feel confident getting tested.
“We need to discuss these things with more tact, but in a way that isn’t scary or fearmongering.
“If we can even be a small part of changing the conversation, that would be great.”
The films also highlight how STIs disproportionately affect the young Black Caribbean community.
Co-producer Julion Laborde, who has a background in humanitarian work, said tackling health inequalities was a driving force behind his involvement.
STV News“The disproportionate impact on this community is a real issue that hasn’t been addressed as much as it has in other communities.
“There can be a lot of stigma, family expectations, cultural norms – a mix of factors that result in less comfort engaging with STI testing or the healthcare system in general.
“I think it’s really important to reach out to this community directly and make them feel supported and empowered.”
He added: “There are a lot of reasons why you might feel scared or embarrassed, or want to hide this part of yourself. But at the end of the day, it’s important to be proactive with your health.”
Professor Claudia Estcourt, a clinical professor in sexual health at GCU, warned that many STIs show no obvious symptoms – meaning it’s vital to get screened.
“Many often don’t really understand why it’s important for them to get tested if they have no symptoms – they think nothing could be wrong.
“But unless you get checked, you won’t know you have an infection.
“Most can be easily treated with antibiotics. But if they’re there for a long time, they can lead to problems like infertility and long-term pain.
“Getting tested should be quick and without hassle. Quite simply, if we do find an infection, it’s easy to treat.
“What we really want these films to do is destigmatise getting tested. It’s important we help build confidence and make getting checked up and treated just a normal part of life.”
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