Vall d’Hebron and the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) are launching the #SexyCheck campaign, an initiative aimed at raising awareness and preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people. The campaign is part of the DIGITS project, funded by Barcelona City Council and the ”la Caixa” Foundation.

Sexually transmitted infections are diseases that are primarily spread through unprotected sexual contact. Among the most common are chlamydia and gonorrhoea, bacterial infections that are becoming increasingly frequent among young people.

Over the past decade, the number of cases has multiplied, and currently more than 60% of new diagnoses correspond to people under the age of 30. This increase can be explained by several factors: low risk perception, a false sense of security, and above all, the stigma that still surrounds sexual health.

In addition, many STIs may not cause symptoms. In women, up to 70% of infections go unnoticed, which can lead to significant complications such as infertility or problems during pregnancy. For this reason, early detection is essential.

#SexyCheck: an initiative to break down stigma

In this context, the #SexyCheck campaign seeks to normalize STI testing and promote a culture of self-care among young people, especially women. With a clear and direct message — “getting a check is the sexiest thing you can do” — the initiative aims to highlight the importance of undergoing regular STI testing.

In this way, the campaign hopes to change perceptions of medical check-ups and promote them as acts of well-being, autonomy, and mutual respect. Rather than relying on moralizing messages, it is based on clear and accessible information.

In the coming weeks, the campaign will begin to roll out through online informational materials and through healthcare and educational centres to facilitate access to information.

New technologies to transform STI diagnosis

The social dimension of #SexyCheck is part of a broader approach promoted through the DIGITS project. Alongside the campaign, research teams have been working on the development of a nanotechnology-based biosensor capable of detecting chlamydia and gonorrhoea from a urine sample within minutes.

Unlike conventional techniques, which require specialized laboratories and involve high costs, the biosensor offers a fast, accessible, and affordable alternative. As a result, this technology could facilitate diagnosis in community-based settings such as primary healthcare centres.

The work involved the Nanobiosensors and Bioanalytical Applications group at ICN2; the Infection and Immunity in Pediatric Patients, Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases groups at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR); as well as the Pediatric Infectious Pathology and Immunodeficiencies Unit and the Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Services of Vall d’Hebron University Hospital.