Alcohol to blame for high STI rates at University

A quarter of students catch an STI in their first year of university with over half too drunk to remember who gave it to them.

Shocking new research revealed that nearly 90 per cent do not use a condom during casual sex while over 60 per cent of students who caught a sexually transmitted infection admitted they would rather risk contracting another than using protection.

The report carried out by Shag at Uni, a dating site, showed that a quarter of students suffered from these infections just 12 months into their degree and over 50 per cent were too drunk to recall who the STI was from.

One male KU third year said: “I was gutted when I found out I had Chlamydia, I felt really embarrassed. I know I should have worn a condom but you just don’t think when you’re drunk.”

Over the last decade, the number of under-25s diagnosed with STIs has risen by almost 50 per cent. Public Health England revealed last year there were over 440,000 new cases.

The Public Health England report states: “The continuing high STI rates in England suggest too many people are still putting themselves at risk through unsafe sex, especially young adults.”

It urged people to ensure they use protection with ‘casual partners’ and make regular visits to sexual health clinics.