Young People Carry Disproportionate Number of Sexually Transmitted Infections in UK

15 July 2008

Newly diagnosed cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) rose up by 6% in 2007 compared to 2006, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported today.

Almost 400,000 (397,990) new STIs were diagnosed in UK genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in 2007 – an increase from 375,843 in 2006 – and a disproportionate number were diagnosed in young people aged 16 to 24 years.

One in eight of the population is aged 16 to 24 years, but this age group accounted for 65% of the chlamydia cases (79,557 of 121,986), 55% of genital warts (49,250 of 89,838) and 50% of the gonorrhoea cases (9,410 of 18,710).

Here in the North West, 46,017 STIs were newly diagnosed in 2007, compared to 43,558 in 2006 and 24,164 10 years ago in 1998. There were slight reductions in syphilis, gonorrhoea and new cases of HIV infection, but sharp increases in Chlamydia and genital herpes.

Reflecting the national picture, a disproportionate number of the new North West cases were in people aged 16 to 24.

The Health Protection Agency, in its latest publication on sexually transmitted infections and young people, is advising that:

Sexually active young people should be screened for chlamydia annually and every time they change their sexual partner. Chlamydia, which can have no symptoms, remains the most common sexually transmitted infection.
Men who have sex with men should take an HIV test annually and each time they believe they may have been at risk of infection.
People can reduce their risk of catching an STI by having fewer sexual partners and avoiding overlapping sexual relationships.
Everybody should use a condom with a new sexual partner and continue to do so until both have been screened.

Dr. Catherine Quigley, Regional Epidemiologist with HPA North West, said: “STI figures in this region remain high, although that is partly accounted for by more screening and we can take some comfort from the reductions in syphilis, gonorrhoea and new cases of HIV infection.

“However, there is no room for complacency. The trend remains upwards and we can only keep reiterating that casual unprotected sex is risky. Anyone contemplating sex with a new or casual partner should first consider the possible implications for their sexual health. They should reduce the risk by using a condom.”

Professor Peter Borriello, Director of the Agency’s Centre for Infections, said:

”The number of people being tested for STIs has risen considerably over the past five years, giving us a better insight into the sexual health of the nation. More than one million sexual health screenings were carried out in 2007 – a 10% increase on the previous year and one of the reasons why we have seen an increase in the number of diagnoses.

“This increase in testing, together with the decrease we have seen in waiting times for GUM services, will help to reduce the risk of transmission and the development of complications arising from infections. If sustained this could have a significant impact on the control of sexually transmitted infections.

“However, we cannot rely on prompt diagnosis and treatment alone. A shift in behaviour is the only way that we will bring down this continued increase in infections.

“Substantial numbers of young people remain undiagnosed, untreated and unaware of the risk they pose to their own health and to their sexual partners.

“It is crucial that young people continue to be exposed to messages about safe sex, including condom wearing, and the importance of getting checked out at their nearest GUM clinic if they have had unprotected sex with a new partner.”

New HIV diagnoses in young people remain relatively low compared to older age groups (702 new diagnoses in 2007) although this is still almost three times the number recorded in 1998 (258 diagnoses).

There has been a substantial increase in the number of STIs diagnosed in young gay men over the past decade, with more than a doubling of HIV diagnoses between 1998 (128) and 2007 (281) and almost a tripling of gonorrhoea diagnoses (339 to 1001).

The National Chlamydia Screening Programme in England screened 270,729 young people in 2007, a 93% increase on the 140,157 screens performed in 2006. 9.5% of young women and 8.4% of the young men who were tested were positive for Chlamydia, resulting in 24,236 diagnoses of chlamydia in people under the age of 25.

Ends

Notes to editors

For details of the STI figures in your area, please contact Hugh Lamont, Communications Manager, HPA North West, on 0151-482-5728 or 07764-906508.
For further information on the national figures or information on the annual or sexual health reports, please contact the Agency’s Centre for Infections press office on 020 8327 6690/ 7097/ 7080 or 6647.
The sexual health data for 2007 were released when Justin McCracken, the Agency’s Chief Executive, launched the HPA Annual Report and Accounts for 2007-2008 in London. The report can be viewed at www.hpa.org.uk/annualreport2008.htm. For press copies please contact the Centre for Infections press office on 0208 327 7750.
For further information on the Agency’s latest sexual health figures and to download a copy of “Sexually Transmitted Infections and Young People in the United Kingdom: 2008 visit: http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1191942172118?p=1191942172118
The figures consist of statistical returns (KC60) in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and STISS data from Scotland and are based on diagnoses made at all genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in the UK.
Figures detailed above are for new STI diagnoses. Total numbers of diagnoses of all STIs, which includes recurrent and follow-up presentations as well as new diagnoses, also rose by 6% - from 620,285 in 2006 to 658,534 in 2007.
The provision of other services by GUM clinics was substantial and continued to rise between 2006 and 2007. The number of HIV tests undertaken rose by 12% from 712,084 to 799,808, and the number of sexual health screens (which include a test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea at minimum) rose by 9% from 962,791 to 1,062,850.
The National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) is managed nationally by the Health Protection Agency and covers all PCTs in England. It offers free testing and treatment to under-25s across England via many venues including community contraceptive services, GPs, youth clinics and pharmacies.

Last reviewed: 15 July 2008