UK health experts fear Olympic construction workers' influx may raise sex disease risk | Irish Sun

UK health experts fear Olympic construction workers' influx may raise sex disease risk

Irish Sun (ANI) Monday 17th March, 2008

London, March 17 : Health experts have warned that the influx of scores of construction workers in London for the 2012 Olympics may result in a rise in prostitution, and the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

The experts reckon that a construction workforce of more than 100,000 men would be making preparations for the game over the next four years.

Already 1,000 people are working on preparing the sites, and 2,000 more are scheduled to begin arriving within weeks as work starts on the stadium.

As the Olympics draw near, worry health workers, thousands of prostitutes and trafficked women may arrive in London.

With an eye on addressing the predicted rise in sexually transmitted infections, they have recommended appointing extra staff in sexual health clinics. They have also stressed giving more focus on preventive measures like sex leaflets in various languages and condom distribution.

The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), the HIV and sexual health charity, says that clinicians assessing the impact of the Sydney 2000 Games found a big increase in demand for sexual health services, and a corresponding increase in sexually related diseases.

The trust is calling for an urgent meeting with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games.

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