As the vacation season approaches its climax, Italian doctors are taking their safe-sex message where it is most needed at this time of year - the beach.
The Italian Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SIGO) has launched a sex-education campaign called "Scegli tu" (You Choose) at three top resorts - Rimini and Marina di Ravenna on the Adriatic coast and Viareggio in Tuscany.
The campaign, which targets teenage girls, aims to stop the passion of holiday romances leading to unwanted pregnancies and the spread of HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases.
"We have decided to talk to women about safe sex on the beach this summer because we want to face the issue in a serious way, away from the clinic," said Emilio Arisi, the director of the campaign.
"The decision not to take risks and use proper contraception is not a medical thing, it is an everyday act.
"Our campaign is directed primarily at youngsters who are discovering their sexuality.
"We want to teach them how to approach this experience with responsibility and respect for themselves to avoid unpleasant or harmful consequences".
SIGO is promoting safe sex with the help of the Radio Bruno station, which has roadshow studios at the three seaside resorts this summer.
Experts will give advice and hand out over 10,000 booklets, produced with the support of the Equal Opportunities Ministry.
As well as young people, the medical society is also reaching out to immigrant women.
Arisi said the number of immigrant women having abortions in Italy is increasing at an alarming rate.
This is partly because contraception is a taboo subject for many of them, he explained.
SIGO has produced a booklet specially designed for immigrant women entitled Diventa Protagonista della Tua Vita Sessuale e Riproduttiva (Become the Star of Your Sexual and Reproductive Life).
It will also be giving out material for adult women in steady relationships on having a healthy sex life and information for would-be mothers on how to maximize their chances of getting pregnant.
