Alesha Dixon

Alesha Dixon

Alesha Dixon reminds young people to use a condom this Valentines as part of the Condom Essential Wear campaign.

The singer and winner of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing comments: “Using a condom is about being confident enough to look after yourself. You shouldn't rely on the other person to have one - if you carry a condom you'll always be prepared, safe and in control.”

The Condom Essential Wear campaign encourages both sexes to take responsibility for safer sex this Valentine’s Day and to tackle a worrying lack of knowledge and attitudes. Research released today reveals that nearly half of all single 16-24 year olds are putting themselves at risk this Valentine’s as they expect to have sex with someone they’ve just met. Surprisingly there is still a stigma around broaching the subject of condoms with nearly a quarter (23%) of those polled either too embarrassed to mention them or just not thinking about it.

And although nearly three quarters of those questioned think that people who carry condoms are responsible, 1 in 4 think that men or women who carry condoms are easy to pull or that they sleep around. In addition, an alarming 10% believe that anyone who even brings up the subject of wearing a condom before sex is likely to have a STI.

Condom Essential Wear spokesperson, Dr Petra Boynton adds: “Romance may be just around the corner, and spirits may be high but it’s still important to take precautions. If you’re hoping to pull this Valentine’s Day, be confident to carry a condom and to bring up the subject with your partner as up to one in ten young people may have chlamydia and you can’t tell by looking whether someone has an STI.”