New data show sexually transmitted infection diagnoses on the increase

Figures released today by Public Health England show the total number of sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses across Greater Manchester have increased by 6.6 per cent on the previous year. 12,592 new STI cases were confirmed in 2012, compared to 11,766 in 2011*. The age groups across the Greater Manchester region with the highest number of cases remain the 20-34 age groups in both men and women.

Nationally, chlamydia remained the most commonly diagnosed STI (206,912; 46 per cent), while new gonorrhoea diagnoses rose 21 per cent overall (from 21,024 in 2011 to 25,525 in 2012), and by 37 per cent in the men who have sex with men (MSM) population (to 10,754).

The North of England recorded the highest positive cases of chlamydia in the country in the 15-24 year-old group with a 2,239 diagnosis rate per 100,000 - a positive test rate of 8.2 per cent compared to 7.6 per cent in London.

Across Greater Manchester all boroughs reported comparitable percentages of positive tests, with Bury and Wigan showing the highest number of chlamydia cases in 15-24 year olds with positive test rates of 9.9 per cent. (2,105 and 2,664 respectively).

Gonorrhoea diagnoses in Greater Manchester also continue to increase with 1,714 confirmed cases in 2012 compared to 1,559 in 2011 (10 per cent increase). High gonorrhoea transmission rates are concerning as the global threat of antibiotic resistance grows. Ensuring treatment resistant strains of gonorrhoea do not persist and spread remains a public health priority, and the Gonorrhoea Resistance Action Plan for England and Wales was launched by PHE to help tackle this threat in early 2013.

The remaining overall figures for new STI diagnoses in Greater Manchester show:

• Genital herpes diagnoses increased by 5.4 per cent from 1,658 in 2011 to 1,748 in 2012 
• Syphilis diagnoses increased by 3 per cent from 228 in 2011 to 235 in 2012 
• Genital warts diagnoses decreased by 2 per cent from 4,220 in 2011 to 4,138 in 2012 

Dr Martyn Regan, Centre Director at the Public Health England Greater Manchester Centre said: “These data show too many people are continuing to have unsafe sex, put themselves at risk of STIs and the serious consequences associated with infection, including infertility. Ongoing investment in programmes to increase sexual health awareness, condom use and testing, particularly for groups at most risk, is vital.

“There have been significant improvements in screening in recent years, particularly for gonorrhoea and chlamydia among young adults and men who have sex with men, so we are diagnosing and treating more infections than ever before.

“We must ensure chlamydia screening remains widely available. Local authorities should continue to integrate chlamydia screening into broader health services for younger adults. This will also help this age group develop positive relationships with services, enabling them to develop and maintain good sexual health throughout their lives.”

Individuals can significantly reduce their risk of catching or passing on an STI by:

• Always using a condom when having sex with casual and new partners 
• Getting tested regularly if in one of the highest risk groups:
• Sexually active under 25 year olds should be screened for chlamydia every year, and on change of sexual partner 
• 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 figures exclude chlamydia cases