Rise in sexually transmitted infections

26^th August 2010 - There’s been a rise in the number of new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

15 to 24 year olds, particularly young women, are the group most affected by STIs.

UK sexual health clinics reported 482,696 new STI diagnoses to the HPA last year, nearly 12,000 more cases than the previous year - up around 2.4%.

The HPA says there’s been a steady upward trend over the past decade.

Sexual health charities say there needs to be better teaching in schools about STIs.

The figures

Two thirds of new STI diagnoses in women were in those under 25.

For women, 73% of all new gonorrhoea diagnoses and 66% of all new genital warts cases were in under 25’s.

For women diagnosed with Chlamydia, 88% were under 25. The HPA says more sensitive tests are being used and community based testing is targeting under 25s in England.

In men, over half of new STI diagnoses were in under 25s, including 41% of male gonorrhoea diagnoses, 47% of male genital warts and 69% of male chlamydia diagnoses.

High rates of new STI cases have also been found among men who have sex with men.

STIs are most prevalent in women aged between 19 and 20, and for men, between 20 and 23.

Re-infections are also a concern. Of all 15-24 year olds diagnosed with an STI last year the HPA says around one in ten of these will become re-infected within a year.

Overall the figures show:

• Chlamydia diagnoses increased by 7% (to 217,570)
• Gonorrhoea diagnoses increased by 6% (to 17,385)
• Genital herpes diagnoses increased by 5% (to 30,126)

There were some encouraging signs:

• Genital warts diagnoses stabilised decreasing by just 0.3% (to 91,257)
• Syphilis diagnoses also stabilised decreasing by just 1% (to 3,273)

Vulnerability of young women

Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of the HPA’s STI section says in a statement:  “These latest figures show that poor sexual health is a serious problem among the UK’s young adults and men who have sex with men.

“These figures also highlight the vulnerability of young women. Many studies have shown that young adults are more likely to have unsafe sex and often they lack the skills and confidence to negotiate safer sex.

“Re-infection is also a worrying issue - the numbers we’re seeing in teenagers are of particular concern as this suggests teenagers are repeatedly putting their own, as well as others, long term health at risk from STIs.”

Dr Hughes says the rise in STIs is also due in part to unsafe sexual behaviour: “The safest way to protect yourself against an STI is to use a condom with new partners. Sexually active under 25 year olds should be tested for Chlamydia every year or when they change their partner”.