Crisis Pregnancy Agency encourages young adults to think contraception during St. Patricks festival

AGENCY TO DISTRIBUTE 4,000 PROTECTION PACKS CONTAINING CONDOM AND SEXUAL HEALTH INFORMATION LEAFLET

The Crisis Pregnancy Agency will this weekend distribute 4,000 ‘Think Contraception’ Protection Packs as part of its campaign to highlight the importance of using contraception to prevent unplanned pregnancies and protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The Irish Contraception and Crisis Pregnancy Study (ICCP, 2004) found that the most common reason cited by 18-25 year olds for not always using contraception in the past year was because sex was not planned or they were unprepared (58%), while 33% cited the influence of drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

The Agency’s health education outreach campaign will take place in pubs and nightclubs in counties Dublin and Cork during the St Patrick’s Festival and addresses the Agency’s first mandate, a reduction in the number of crisis pregnancies by the provision of education, advice and contraceptive services. The new Protection Packs will be contained in a reusable drawstring bag, replacing the Agency’s previous item, the Think Contraception tin. For the first time, the Agency will distribute gender specific ‘Think Contraception’ Protection Packs, with each containing an individually boxed condom and an information leaflet. Female Protection Packs will carry the message “For when Irish guys are smiling” and provide information on contraception, STIs, fertility awareness and cervical screening. The male packs will be labeled “Protect your lucky charms” and will contain information on contraception, STIs, testicular cancer awareness and facts about sperm.

Director of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, Caroline Spillane said: “Bank holiday weekends and festival settings are often times of year when risk-taking behaviour occurs, and we aim to provide a timely reminder to sexually active adults to Think Contraception by providing sexual health information in pubs and clubs over the weekend. It is vital that all sexually active adults look after their sexual health and correctly and consistently use contraception to help prevent unplanned pregnancy and protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).”

ENDS

Editor’s Notes:
1. The Crisis Pregnancy Agency (CPA) was established in 2001 and is mandated to provide for:
A) A reduction in the number of crisis pregnancies by the provision of education, advice and contraceptive services
B) A reduction in the number of women with crisis pregnancies who opt for abortion by offering services and support which make other options more attractive
C) The provision of counselling services, medical services and other health services for the purpose of providing support, after crisis pregnancy, as may be deemed appropriate by the Agency.
2. The Crisis Pregnancy Agency will be distributing Think Contraception Protection Packs to over 18s at nighttime in pubs and clubs in Cork and Dublin during the St Patrick’s Festival.

For more information contact:

Lorna Farren
Crisis Pregnancy Agency
01-8146292
087-6289831