Dublin, Tuesday, 30th July 2013: The vast majority of people in Ireland (70%) have never had a sexual health check-up or test(ii) according to a new study by Aviva Health Insurance that canvassed the views of nearly 1,000 people across Ireland to uncover present-day attitudes towards sexual health.

A series of reasons were put forward for not having had the test. Over half (56%) said they never had the test because they are in a committed relationship, are not concerned about their sexual health (32%) or always engage in protected [or safe] sex (23%)(iii). Perhaps unsurprisingly the findings show females (35%) are more likely to get an STI test than males (24%).(iv)

Provisional figures for sexually transmitted infections in 2012 gathered by the National Disease Surveillance Centre reveal how prevalent such diseases have become in Ireland today. Over 12,000 people were found to be infected with some form of STI other than HIV last year, of which worryingly more than half or 6,221 were found to be infected with Chlamydia, known as the 'silent infection' because half of infected men and 80% of infected women experience no symptoms.(v)

Aviva Health Insurance offers up to €100 towards sexual health screening once every two years(vi) across three of its new Focus plans. Sexual health screening cover is available across Aviva’s First, Future and Family Focus Plans.

Medical Director of Aviva Health Insurance, Dr. Ian Callanan said, “Aviva Health’s new research shows the majority (70%) of all adults surveyed have never had an STI test.(vii) I think many Irish adults will find this statistic among others quite disturbing given the level of awareness, the ease of access to health services and the wealth of information readily available on the risk of sexually transmitted diseases if left untreated.”

“In the last few years, Ireland has witnessed a silent rise in sexually transmitted disease, with over a third of people saying they are not concerned about their sexual health, this is worrying.”(viii)

Dr. Ian Callanan added, “At Aviva Health, we’re committed to encouraging customers to take a pro-active approach to their health and offering customers a range of affordable plans with cover that’s relevant to their needs. Giving money back towards sexual health screening is just one of our many new and innovative offerings on the Focus plans, which also provide cover for contraceptive prescriptions across various plans as well as core hospital cover.”

Interestingly, the new study shows almost three quarters (72%) of participants think contraception is expensive.(ix) This was most prevalent among females (80%) compared to males (62%).(x) Aviva offers €30 money back towards prescribed contraceptives per year on their Future Focus plan.(xi)

For further information on Aviva Health’s Focus plans go to www.avivahealth.ie, talk to your broker or see www.hia.ie.

For further information, please contact:
Iris Cribbin, Fleishman-Hillard, Tel: 01 618 8439 Mob: 087 414 2881
Lydia Tierney, Fleishman-Hillard, Tel: 01 618 8459 Mob: 085 713 8810

Aviva’s new Focus plan names and prices:

New Aviva Health Plan	Adult Price €	Child Price €
Value Focus	525	192
Day2Day Focus	750	300
First Focus	765	220
Future Focus	880	220
Family Focus	990	310 (0-4yrs) 150* (5-17yrs)
*Children aged 5-17 only €150 on Aviva Family Focus until September 30th 2013. From 1st October 2013, children aged 5-17 on Aviva Family Focus will cost €300.

Aviva Health Focus Plans also include: