Sexually transmitted infection diagnoses decrease

Figures released today by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show the total number of sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses decreased for the second year in the North West. The number of new STI cases diagnosed decreased by nearly 6% over the last two years with cases dropping from 58,154 cases in 2009, 56,023 cases in 2010 and 54,842 cases diagnosed in 2011.

The age groups with the highest number of cases still remain the 20-34 age groups in both men and women and the North West remains the region with the highest figures behind London for the third year (101,561/54,381).

The latest overall figures for the North West show:

• Chlamydia diagnoses decreased by 7 per cent from 29,310 in 2010 to 27,155 in 2011 
• Genital herpes diagnoses increased by 7 per cent from 3,811 in 2010 to 4,101 in 2011 
• Syphilis diagnoses decreased by 6 per cent from 370 in 2010 to 349 in 2011 
• Genital warts diagnoses decreased by 1 per cent from 10,754 in 2010 to 10,670 in 2011 
• Gonorrhoea diagnoses increased by 32 per cent from 1,983 in 2010 to 2,636 in 2011

Dr Roberto Vivancos, NW Regional Lead for Sexual Health with the Health Protection Agency said: “It’s encouraging that we are seeing a sustained overall reduction in the number of new STI’s in the North West, however one area for concern is the increase in new cases of gonorrhoea which is also being seen nationally.”

Dr Vivancos added: “The importance of STI prevention and good sexual health becomes even clearer given emerging resistance to gonorrhoea treatment. Laboratory testing over the last five years has shown a large increase in the amount of resistance to the main drugs used to treat gonorrhoea, presenting the very real danger of untreatable gonorrhoea in the future.”

To combat the continuing high rates of STI transmission in England, and the growing risk of gonorrhoea treatment resistance it is essential to:

• Always use a condom when having sex with casual and new partners.
• Get tested regularly if you are in one of the highest risk groups: 
  o Sexually active under 25 year olds should be screened for chlamydia every year, and on change of sexual partner 
  o MSM having unprotected sex with casual or new partners should have an HIV/STI screen at least annually, and every three months if changing partners regularly.

The number of acute STI diagnoses in North West by Local Authority show that Manchester has the highest number of diagnoses in 2011 with 7,098 cases overall. The Local Authority with the least number was Eden with 217.

• Chlamydia – highest number of cases in 15-24 year olds (2,482) and 25+ (724) in Manchester 
• Gonorrhoea – highest number of cases in Manchester (650) 
• Syphilis – highest rates in Manchester (101) 
• Genital Herpes – highest cases in Manchester (438) 
• Genital Warts – highest rates in Manchester (1,135)

National figures show that there was an increase of new sexually transmitted infection diagnoses by two per cent in 2011, with nearly 427,000 new cases.

The annual HPA report found:

The overall rise seen in 2011 was primarily driven by new diagnoses increasing in:

• Gonorrhoea (up by 25 per cent on 2010) 
• Syphilis (up by 10 per cent) 
• Genital herpes (up by five per cent)

The largest upsurge in new diagnoses between 2010 and 2011 was seen in MSM:

• Gonorrhoea increased by 61 per cent 
• Chlamydia by 48 per cent
• Syphilis by 28 per cent .

Amongst heterosexuals overall rates remained highest in young adults (15-24 years old), accounting for:

• 57 per cent of all new gonorrhoea diagnoses 
• 56 per cent of all new genital warts diagnoses 
• 43 per cent of all new genital herpes diagnoses

Dr Roberto Vivancos, said: “It is crucial the work to reduce STIs continues. Improving awareness and encouraging safer sexual behaviour through health promotion and education is essential to helping prevent STIs. Coupled with this, ensuring easy access to sexual health services and STI screening is important for controlling the transmission of all STIs and needs to be focused on groups at highest risk.”

In the North West, for cases in men where sexual orientation was recorded, 70 per cent (246/349) of syphilis and 39 per cent (1,025/2,636) of gonorrhoea diagnoses in 2011 were among men who have sex with men (MSM) and the number of diagnoses of STIs continues to rise in this group nationally.

Dr Vivancos added: “The message of consistent condom use is even more important for men who have sex with men because they are at particular risk of HIV as well as other STIs. It is worth noting that there are a disproportionate number of diagnoses in this particular group because of increased testing. The figures underline the importance of regular sexual health screening for this group. The HPA currently recommends that men who have sex with men should be tested for HIV at least annually.”

Getting screened for HIV/STIs can lead to early identification and treatment, as often these infections have no symptoms. In addition, reducing the number of sexual partners and avoiding overlapping sexual relationships can reduce the risk of being infected with an STI.