The renowned sexual health charity The Terrence Higgins Trust has launched a new service aiming to reduce the rates of sexually transmitted infections amongst African communities living in the UK. Called Mambo Online, the service went live yesterday.
UK African communities are at the highest risk of contracting HIV, with black Africans representing 40% of all new HIV diagnoses in Britain, though they only make up around 1% of the British population. They also have higher rates of infection of more common sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
Funded by the Pan-London HIV prevention program, Mambo Online ’s goals are to provide a resource for the communities and offer community members the information they need to protect themselves against STIs.
There is also a section for professionals, such as doctors, youth workers and social workers who work with the African community, to keep updated about seminars coming up, training being offered and the different ways THT can assist them in their work.
As well as articles on topics like how to get tested for HIV, the stigma associated with HIV and immigration, the style of the site aims to be clear and accessible. It is also meant to help direct users to the support services offered by the Terence Higgins Trust.
If you are worried about STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea and you do not have the time to visist your doctor or local GUM clinic then we recommend the services of The STI Clinic. The STI Clinic will send out a test kit and you will have your results within 24 hours of them receiving your urine sample back. We have many patients who have used their service and have been highly complimentary about the service that they received.