Sex disease alarm as infection rates soar
LYNDSAY MOSS. 18 July 2007
The number of Scots treated for sexually transmitted infections has doubled in a decade, figures revealed yesterday.
In 2006, almost 21,500 people were treated at sexual health clinics in Scotland - up from just over 10,900 in 1996.
The statistics also show a growing number of children are being treated for STIs. In 1996, 28 under-15s were treated for diseases such as chlamydia. But last year this had risen to 63.
The true incidence of STIs in Scotland is likely to be even higher, as the latest figures dealt only with those treated at genitourinary medicine clinics and not patients seen by GPs. Experts said more had to be done to educate children and adults about sexual health.
The figures came as officials outlined standards for the NHS to improve the quality of sexual health services. NHS Quality Improvement Scotland said people with sexual health issues should be seen within two days. And the standards said testing for chlamydia should be increased among those aged 16-24.
On the issue of contraception, the standards said boards should aim for ten per cent of women of reproductive age to be using long-last contraceptives such as implants.
These are considered more effective at stopping unwanted pregnancies than methods such as the Pill.
Yesterday's figures revealed that chlamydia was the most common STI in Scotland, with 8,832 cases - almost five times the figure of 1,770 seen in 1996.
Case of syphilis also shot up from 21 in 1996 to 246 last year - almost a 12-fold increase. Gonorrhoea diagnoses also doubled from 448 to 896. The largest number of cases was in the 20 to 24 age group, with 9,100 STIs diagnosed last year. This was followed by almost 7,500 in the 25-34 group and 5,200 in the 15-19 age bracket. But cases in over-65s are also increasing - from 21 in 1996 to 71 last year.
The Scottish Executive said much of the rise was down to increased testing and detection of STIs. A spokeswoman said: "Poor sexual health is a major public health issue. NHS Boards have been asked to address the increasing levels of STIs as part of the implementation of Respect and Responsibility, Scotland's sexual health strategy and action plan."
Tim Street, director of the Family Planning Association Scotland, said the figures were "not surprising". He also said the falling age at which children started having sex made it inevitable that STIs would increase in young age groups.
See also
Sexual health treatment 17-07-07
Chlamydia easier screening