Last updated 15:57, Wednesday, 26 March 2008

PUPILS are being tested for sexually transmitted diseases in school – and being sent the results via a text message.

A countywide chlamydia screening programme targeting teenagers, is now being rolled out in schools across Cumbria.

Pupils from Years 11 to 13 are being offered the confidential tests at secondary schools in Whitehaven, Workington, Carlisle, Penrith, Wigton, Penrith, Cockermouth and Keswick and Kendal.

More than 1,000 pupils have already been screened in Carlisle and Penrith alone and 275 in Whitehaven and Workington.

A total of 3,000 under 25s have been screened across Cumbria and one in ten of these – 300 – have tested positive. As part of the scheme, young people who are sexually active, are asked to provide urine samples to school nurses.

These are sent off to be tested and the results are text to the teenagers within a week.

A spokeswoman for Cumbria Primary Care Trust said that so far only two letters have been issued with all others asking to be texted their test results.

Sharon Lightfoot, Chlamydia Programme Coordinator said: “Screening in Schools is a new initiative and the aim is to screen the population of Cumbria under 25.

“Since the beginning of the programme there have been 3,000 people within the age range screened, and Cumbria is running along with the national average of 1 in 10 testing positive.

“The scheme can be accessed from 79 GP practices throughout Cumbria, family planning centres, schools, some Youth Clubs and Voluntary Sectors.”

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection which can cause infertility if not treated.

To raise further awareness of the screening programme and encourage more youngsters to come forward, an advertising van will be driving around Cumbria.