March 01, 2011 08:15 AM Eastern Time
- Online Voting on Finalist Entries Ends March 23 with Winners Receiving $2,500 and $5,000
- Identigene to Announce Winning Videos at SexTech 2011 Conference in San Francisco
- Test Kit for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Available for Online Purchase
SexTech 2011
SALT LAKE CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Identigene today announced the 10 finalists of its “Talk about STDs” video contest. each of the 10 finalists will receive a $1,000 prize, as well as the chance at one of two larger prizes: $2,500 for the entrant that receives the greatest number of popular votes; and $5,000 for the grand prize winner, selected by Identigene.
“Sexually transmitted diseases are a sensitive but important topic concerning individual and public health”
To view the contest videos and vote for a finalist, visit talkaboutstds.com. Voting closes March 24 at 12:00 a.m.
“Sexually transmitted diseases are a sensitive but important topic concerning individual and public health,” said Steven Smith, executive director of Identigene. “Many STD-infected men and women may not see signs or symptoms until the disease has progressed and caused more serious health concerns, putting themselves and their partners at risk. We hope our STD video contest encourages sexually active adults and teens to have candid, informed conversations with their partners, doctors or parents about STDs—which will in turn help them to reduce health risks and receive earlier, more effective treatment.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends yearly testing for people who are sexually active, especially for pregnant women, those in non-monogamous relationships, or those in relationships with new partners or multiple partners. The CDC estimates more than a million Americans age 14-39 are infected with an STD each year.
In addition to cash prizes, the winning videos from the “Talk about STDs” contest will be announced April 1 in San Francisco at SexTech 2011, the fourth annual conference on new media, youth and sexual health. The conference, which takes place April 1-2, 2011, brings together youth, parents and community leaders with health and technology professionals to improve the sexual health of youth in the United States and abroad.
Identigene offers an at-home STD test kit, currently available for purchase online. The test kit allows consumers to collect a urine sample from home, and have it tested in Identigene’s highly-accredited laboratory. After the laboratory processes the specimen, results are made available to customers via a secure password-protected website within two to three business days. The STD test kit offers both gonorrhea and chlamydia testing, providing consumers private results in an easily-administered private test.
To learn more about Identigene’s STD test kit and other services, visit identigene.com.
About Identigene
Identigene, a Sorenson Genomics company, is the world’s largest provider of direct-access DNA paternity testing. Identigene is also registered with CLIA as a provider of nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) methodology for molecular diagnostics services. Founded in 1993, Identigene was the first DNA testing laboratory in the world to commercially use modern STR technology for paternity testing, and is the only company to sell a paternity test and an STD test for chlamydia and gonorrhea through major retail outlets. Additional information about Identigene, its national and international laboratory accreditations, and its DNA and clinical testing services is available at identigene.com.