The warning coincides with the state government’s Hump Day sexual health awareness event targeted at reducing stigma around safe sex and sexual education.

NSW Health statistics outline a steady increase in registered chlamydia diagnoses throughout the Murrumbidgee Health District from 2012 to 2017.

In fact, the latest figures reveal 832 registered cases in 2016 are significantly higher than the 742 registered cases in 2012.

Murrumbidgee Local Health District sexual health clinical nurse consultant Alison Kincaid attributes this steady increase to safe sex being practiced “irregularly” across the region.

“What we’re seeing is young people, particularly young heterosexuals, using condoms, but it’s not consistent usage,” she said.

“These people are practicing vaginal and anal sex without continued use of protection … and consequently, we’re seeing more people presenting with chlamydia.”

Ms Kincaid said self-esteem, control and inebriation were all contributing factors.

“Education is key to improvement, yes, but it’s also around self-esteem and gender roles within relationships,” she said.

It’s also about young people feeling confident in a sexual scenario and being able to negotiate the use of condoms and contraception.

“That judgement can and is often altered by the influence of drugs and alcohol.”

Hump Day spokesperson Alison Nikitas said it was important to promote education and raise awareness in a fun and interactive way.

“It’s a matter of making people feel comfortable about sex and talking about condoms,” she said.

“Our program is essentially about promoting safe sex, the use of condoms, and encouraging people to get checked. 

Ms Nikitas said teenagers aged between 15 and 19 years were a key demographic to consider.

“We want to show how easy it is to be safe and talk about sexual health comfortably,” she said.