South West works to improve sexual health

25 August 2010

New data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) shows the South West has lower than national average rates for sexually transmitted infections including: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, herpes and genital warts but rates across the country are continuing to rise.

The information, which provides details of rates by area of residence for the first time, shows that in 2009, the South West's average rate of Chlamydia was 65.9 per 100,000 for over 25s against the England average of 97.8. Syphilis was also significantly lower at 2.3 per 100,000 compared to the England average of 5.5.

However, while the South West has lower rates, it continues to see a rise in new diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections in line with the national increase of 3% between 2008 and 2009.

The new information also shows that young people experience disproportionately high rates of sexually transmitted infections with young people aged under 25 attending genitourinary medicine clinics accounting for more than 70% of cases.

In order to take action to reverse the trend and promote the sexual health of young people, South West Strategic Health Authority has set up the first Office for Sexual Health in the country in partnership with the HPA. Its job is to ensure high quality services to prevent and treat sexually transmitted infections, good access to contraception to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and promotion of sex and relationship education to support young people to make informed choices about their health.

Dr Gabriel Scally, Regional Director of Public Health said:
"Positive sexual relationships which are free of harm to physical and mental health are an important part of life.

"In order to experience good sexual health, people need information and services that enable them to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.

"That means using condoms in relationships where there may be a number of partners and people using the most appropriate methods of contraception for them at that point in their lives. These methods include the most reliable forms for preventing pregnancy, which are long acting reversible methods such as implants and intrauterine devices.

"It is particularly important that we provide young people with the information and services they need to make informed choices about their health, which is why good quality sex and relationship education in schools and colleges is so important. It is also why we need to ensure services are young people friendly."

Dr Isabel Oliver, Regional Director of the Health Protection Agency said:

"This information enables us to get a better picture of how rates of sexually transmitted infections vary in different areas. It helps local areas to target services at those people who experience particularly poor sexual health.

"We know that risky sexual behaviour may be contributing to the rise in sexually transmitted infections but the change is also due to more sensitive tests and the recent expansion of Chlamydia screening in young people.

"Prevention is central to reducing rates of sexually transmitted infections as well as unwanted pregnancies and that includes greater access to infection screening and contraception, easier access to services and a focus on the groups of people at highest risk of poor sexual health."

For more information on this press release contact: Casey Palmer, HPA South West communications team on: 01452 378907 or Gillian Humphreys, South West Strategic Health Authority 01823 361365.

For queries about a particular area of residence, please contact the press office in your local Primary Care Trust.

Notes to Editors For further information on the Agency's latest sexual health figures visit:

http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/STIs/STIsAnnualData/

 
The National Chlamydia Screening Programme is a control and prevention programme targeted at the highest risk group for chlamydia infection in England, young people under 25 who are sexually active. Since November 2005 National Co-ordination of the programme has been the responsibility of the Health Protection Agency. To find out more visit www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk

Last reviewed: 15 November 2010