Latest government statistics paint a mixed picture of the UK’s sexual health. Figures released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on July 27th show that in 2003 there was an overall increase of 4% in the number of new diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) over the year before, including a sharp rise in new syphilis diagnoses. However, the figures also show that there was a decline in new cases of some bacterial and viral infections.
In 2003 a total of 708,083 STI’s were diagnosed at sexual health clinics in the UK, an increase of 4% on 2002.
New diagnoses of chlamydia increased by 9% on the year before, and syphilis by 23%. There was also a modest increase in new cases of genital warts seen in 2003.
However, the figures also included some encouraging data, not least a 3% fall in new gonorrhoea diagnoses between 2002 and 2003 and a 2% fall in new cases of genital herpes. The fall in gonorrhoea cases will be seen as particularly encouraging. In 2003 treatment guidelines for gonorrohea had to be changed after surveillance data showed that between 5%-10% of cases of the infection involved resistance to ciprofloxacin, the standard first-line therapy.
Although the percentage increase in new syphilis cases appears dramatic, the number of individuals diagnosed with the infection remains relatively small – only 1,575 in 2003. Most syphilis cases have been clustered in outbreaks in large metropolitan centres, particularly London and Manchester, with most cases involving gay men, many of whom are HIV-positive.
Gay men and sexually active younger people remain the groups most affected by sexually transmitted infections. The HPA warns that the large number of STIs experienced by gay men “will fuel HIV transmission.”
The annual report of the government’s chief medical officer, Prof. Sir Liam Donaldson, due for publication tomorrow, is expected to recommend that action should be taken to reduce the number of undiagnosed HIV infections, with clinics offering an HIV test to all gay men attending with a new STI.
The 4% overall increase in new STI diagnoses has also been attributed, in part, by the HPA to more people coming forward for testing and a greater awareness of sexually transmitted infections.
Increased numbers of patients attending sexual health services is putting clinics under increasing strain, the HPA reports.
Dr Angela Robinson, President of the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV welcomed the slowing in the increase of STIs. However she cautioned that clinics were finding it hard to cope with an ever increasing workload, warning: “Prompt access to GUM services for patients is essential if the number of new infections is to be reduced.”