STIs in Yorkshire and the Humber

15 June 2011

Regional diagnoses in men decline, but cases continue to rise in women

New figures released today by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) Yorkshire and the Humber show that the number of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) diagnosed in the region in 2010 has continued to decline for the second year running, most notably in young people.

In 2010 there were 41, 861 new STI diagnoses made in Yorkshire and the Humber, a decrease of 1% from the previous year when 42, 158 cases were diagnosed. This follows a 2% decrease reported the previous year for 2009.

The reduction in cases is mainly due to a 2% decrease in the number of men being diagnosed with STIs in Yorkshire and the Humber (from 19, 881 cases diagnosed in 2009 to 19, 424 cases in 2010). However, young women in the region continue to be the group most affected by STIs and as the latest regional figures show an increase of 1% for cases diagnosed in females (from 22, 248 cases in 2009 to 22, 366 cases in 2010), health experts are calling for more people to practice safe sex.

Dr Leena Inamdar, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control and STI Lead for HPA Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "Although the drop is modest, it is encouraging that the decline in cases has been sustained for a second year running in Yorkshire and the Humber. For the first time ever we have seen Chlamydia diagnoses stabilise, when testing for that particular infection is at its highest ever, thanks to community based testing through the National Chlamydia Screening Programme. These are very early days but we hope that this is the beginning of a downward trend.

"However, these latest figures show that the impact of STI diagnoses is still unacceptably high in young people generally across the region, and the continuing upward trend in cases diagnosed in women in our region is a real concern. Studies suggest that those who become infected with an STI may be more likely to have unsafe sex or lack the skills and confidence to negotiate safer sex.

"The safest way to protect yourself against an STI is to use a condom with all new or casual partners. Sexually active under 25 year olds should be tested for Chlamydia every year or sooner if they change their partner. Today's data suggests that by encouraging routine testing for STIs, we can make an impact on rates. The sooner people are diagnosed and treated, the less likely they are to pass on the infection or to develop complications later.

"It's even more important for men who have sex with men to always use a condom, because they are at particular risk of HIV as well as other STIs. This underlines the importance of regular sexual health screening for this group. Men who have sex with men should be tested for HIV at least annually."

The overall regional decrease occurred during a period of increased testing for sexually transmitted infections nationally in health settings across England. For the first time new diagnoses of Chlamydia did not rise but were stable and this occurred alongside more Chlamydia testing through the National Chlamydia Screening Programme. Last year 2.2 million Chlamydia tests were carried out in England among young people aged 15 to 24, an increase of 196,500 from the previous year.

The two most at-risk groups nationally remain young people and men who have sex with men. Young people under 25 are the age group that experience the highest rates of STIs in Yorkshire and the Humber, with higher rates of Chlamydia and Herpes diagnosed in women than in men, and rates for Gonorrhoea, Syphilis and Genital Warts diagnoses highest in men in the region.

Dr Stephen Morton, Regional Director for HPA Yorkshire and the Humber, added: "Although it is encouraging to see a further decrease in the overall figures for our region, it is important to remember that all these sexually transmitted infections are preventable. We will continue to work with our partners in the NHS to reinforce the importance of safe sex in the hope that we will continue the downward trend and start to see a far more significant decrease, widely across all at-risk groups in Yorkshire and the Humber in the future."

Ends

Notes to Editors: 

• The latest overall figures for Yorkshire and the Humber show:

Chlamydia diagnoses have stabilised at 22, 113 in 2009 and 22,028 in 2010

Genital warts diagnoses have decreased by 4% from 8108 in 2009 to 7807 in 2010

Syphilis diagnoses have decreased by 25% from 235 in 2009 to 177 in 2010

Gonorrhoea diagnoses increased slightly, by 1%, from 1383 in 2009 to 1390 in 2010

Genital herpes diagnoses have increased by 6% from 2637 in 2009 to 2787 in 2010

• To view the latest sexual health figures from the HPA visit: www.hpa.org.uk
• 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
• The Health Protection Agency is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards.  It does this by providing advice and information to the general public, to health professionals such as doctors and nurses, and to national and local government. In 2012 the HPA will become part of Public Health England. To find out more, visit our website: www.hpa.org.uk

 

Issued by Charlotte Farrar
Media and Communications Officer
Charlotte.farrar@hpa.org.uk
0113 284 0618

Last reviewed: 15 June 2011