Cases Of STIs In U.K. Increase By 6%; Young People Disproportionately Affected, Health Agency Says

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 18 Jul 2008 - 9:00 PST

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The number of sexually transmitted infections in the United Kingdom increased by 6% in 2007, with young people disproportionately affected, the U.K. Health Protection Agency said on Tuesday, Reuters reports. The agency recommended that young sexually active people get tested annually for STIs and again every time they change partners.

According to HPA, the number of newly diagnosed STIs in the country increased among all age groups from 375,843 in 2006 to 397,990 in 2007. The increase might be in part because of a 10% increase in the number of STI screenings from 2006 to 2007, Peter Borriello, director of HPA's Centre for Infections, said. People ages 18 to 24 account for only one-eighth of the total population, but the group accounts for about 50% of all newly diagnosed STI cases in the U.K. In 2007, people ages 18 to 24 accounted for 65% of new chlamydia cases, 55% of new genital warts cases and 50% of new gonorrhea cases (Castle, Reuters, 7/15). Borriello said, "It's increasingly the case that among young people, a casual shag is part of the territory, it's part of life." He added, "Increasingly a shag now stands for syphilis, herpes, anal warts and gonorrhea."

U.K. Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said, "It is a concern that the number of diagnoses of levels of [STIs] have increased, but these figures must be set in context. There has been a 16% increase in the number of people accessing sexual health clinics since 2006. That means more people are being screened and therefore detected. ... If this increased access is maintained, it could have a significant impact on the control" of STIs (Kirby, Press Association, 7/15). Borriello said that although increased screening and testing could improve STI control, the country "cannot rely on prompt diagnosis and treatment alone -- a shift in behavior is the only way that [the United Kingdom] will bring down this continued increase in infections" (Reuters, 7/15).

Chris Plummer of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service said that "simply advocating condom use and better sex and relationships education does not seem to prevent young people spreading infections -- nor does suggesting that they should abstain from sex." He added, "Getting young people screened and treated with an accessible, discreet and quick service is the answer" (Press Association, 7/15).

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