'It only takes one swipe' Yorsexualhealth launch new online awareness campaign

The Yorsexualhealth youth marketing team will be out and about in Scarborough town centre on Saturday 14 March, to raise awareness that ‘it only takes one swipe’ to not only find a sexual partner but to order an online Chlamydia testing kit.

The increasing popularity of ‘hook up’ apps on mobile phones have been linked to an increase in sexually transmitted infections. Tinder and other match-making apps, which provide users with a list of potential partners nearby, are proving extremely popular, especially with young adults.

By swiping right on Tinder you can match with potential dates. The ‘It only takes one swipe’ campaign aims to highlight that as easy as swiping right you can not only find a sexual partner but order a Chlamydia test. 

Yorsexualhealth, which has just been awarded the sexual health contracts for York and North Yorkshire, wants to raise awareness of the link between social media dating apps and the rise in STIs. 

Liz Hare, Chlamydia Screening Programme Co-ordinator, said: “Young adults who choose to date and find sexual partners online may be less likely to have the confidence or inclination to present themselves in person for testing at a clinic.

“This is why we decided to launch a campaign that targets this online sexually active audience with a predominantly digital content-driven campaign around the theme of online dating.

“The aim of the campaign is to increase uptake of testing, recognising that internet ‘hook-up’ sites are an increasingly popular way for people of all ages to meet others.

“The only way that you can protect yourself from getting an STI is by practicing safe sex. Our Force 7 street team will be out and about in Selby, Scarborough and Harrogate over the course of the campaign to raise awareness of Yorsexualhealth and its services, especially online Chlamydia testing. 

“Last year 2,092 people were tested for Chlamydia in North Yorkshire via remote or online testing. Of these 192 tested positive which is a 9.2% positivity rate – this is a much higher rate than other testing services.  We want to increase the take up of this discreet and easy way for people to get tested.”

The online campaign will include shareable blogs, social media graphics, and online advertising. 

The adverts have been designed to be reminiscent of Tinder, using attractive and familiar graphics to intrigue and entice the user to engage with the advert – sharing, liking and interacting.  

As well as a poster and beer mat campaign to push the message from social media into bars and clubs.

The street team will be out and about with a giant Tinder photo board so that young people can get a photograph taken to post with the hashtag #yorclear on Instagram.  

12 March 2015