Kramfors Safer Love!

According to the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control (Svenska Smittskyddsinstitutet) Chlamydia, Syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases, are on the rise among young people under the age of thirty in Sweden. This trend is equally prevalent in Kramfors municipality and even though the statistics has shown some improvements in the last two years, the problem remains. In order to combat this problem among youths, a change in risk behavior and attitudes towards sex is required. The Kramfors group is of the opinion that discussions, information and distribution of contraceptives will effectively contribute to positive change.

The Kramfors YPD-group's main focus will for the project lie in targeting youth, sexually transmitted diseases and sexual health throughout a one-month campaign. The project will be implemented on two complementary levels and in two different venues. The group will distribute condoms and information through leaflets and discussions, and also engage youths in games and activities centered around sexual health and behavior. However, it has been a vision for the group to not only focus on the negative aspects of sexual behavior, but also to promote a fun and healthy sexuality. The main venue and time for this will be during Stadsfesten in Kramfors on June 12th and 13th where a space and tent will be reserved for the YPD-group to host activities, invite youths and adults for discussions. The tent will feature relaxed environment with couches, music and also host participants from the group. Stadsfesten has been chosen as a forum for activities because of its central location, the opportunity to reach out to youths, and the massive flow of visitors from Kramfors and neighboring areas. Stadsfesten normally hosts approximately seven thousand paying visitors during the 12th and 13th of June.

The campaign will act to involve the community in two main ways - directly and indirectly. More directly a large number of condoms will be attempted to be distributed, together with information pamphlets on sexual health. Indirectly the group will attempt to contribute to affecting attitudes on sexuality and risk behavior. This will be done through discussions, games/activities, posters and so on. The group will also receive assistance with material (condoms, leaflets) and education from Landstinget and RFSL.

In addition to the activities and tent at Stadsfesten the Kramfors group will hold two information/promotional sessions - one in the town square of Kramfors, and one in the local high school, Ådalsskolan - in collaboration with local event organization På stan. These will also feature condom distribution, free give-away in the form of stickers and badges, informational booklets and promotional posters.

By executing this campaign the group is hoping to increase awareness of STIs and sexual health, to directly reduce risk behavior among the population by distributing contraceptives and to engage youths in fruitful discussions in order to problematize and analyze issues pertaining to sexuality and sexual health.