This Sexually Transmitted Infection Question (STIQ) Day, Essex County Council is encouraging open and honest conversations about sexual health.
STIQ Day, marked on 14 January each year, is dedicated to promoting informed discussions about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and general sexual health.
It encourages individuals to ask questions, seek reliable information and hopes to create a stigma-free environment to address sexual health concerns.
Essex Sexual Health Service (ESHS), commissioned by Essex County Council and delivered by Provide Community, offers free support to adults and young people on their sexual health.
Offering everything from emergency contraception to in-clinic and at-home STI testing, as well as a free condom postal service, ESHS is rated Good or Very Good by 98% of users (9,202 respondents).
The service focuses on accessibility, inclusivity and outreach, to help meet the diverse needs of the Essex community.
During the last financial year (April 2024, March 2025), Essex Sexual Health Service delivered:
- 71,261 clinic appointments – ensuring broad access to sexual health services
- 34,681 home test kits – making testing more convenient and accessible
- 6,708 Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) devices were fitted – supporting long-term reproductive health choices
- 15,496 condoms distributed – promoting safe sexual practices
- 166 outreach sessions reaching 6,209 individuals
- 131 professional training sessions
- 47 SEND sessions, engaging 584 young people
- HIV support services to 141 individuals
- 178 relationships, sex and health education session delivered, supporting 4,577 young people
- free sanitary products introduced in clinics, reflecting user feedback
Alongside clinic-based services, ESHS has invested in digital transformation to improve accessibility.
It offers online clinics, tailored resources and utilises social media channels such as TikTok to better reach specific audience groups such as young people.
Councillor John Spence, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Adult Social Care, Public Health and Integration, said: “STIQ Day is an important reminder that sexual health is a vital part of overall wellbeing. We want everyone in Essex to feel confident asking questions and accessing the support they need without embarrassment or stigma.
“Essex Sexual Health Service has made incredible strides in improving accessibility and inclusivity, from expanding digital resources to delivering thousands of clinic appointments and home testing kits. These efforts ensure that residents can make informed choices about their sexual health in a way that works for them.”
Susan Luty, ESHS Sexual Health System Lead, added: “The Team at Essex Sexual Health Service strive to ensure the residents or visitors to Essex have access to contraception, sexual health care and support when they need it.
“We offer a range of preventative measures including vaccines and medication to prevent the transmission of HIV and STIs to people who believe they are at higher risk. It has never been easier for us to take control of our sexual health and wellbeing.”
To support ongoing service user engagement, Essex County Council published a Essex Relationships, Sex and Health Education Survey in June 2025. A total of 4,850 11 to 25-year-olds took part.
Find out more about the support offered by ESHS: https://essexsexualhealthservice.org.uk/.
Cllr Peter Schwier ISEP
Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction & Recycling
Chair, East of England Regional Climate Change Forum
Hedingham Division, Essex County Council
Renewal, Equality & Ambition
Safer, Greener, Healthier
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