STD cases in West Berkshire are lowest in England says report

West Berkshire has the lowest rates of both gonorrhoea and syphilis in England.

And health officials say the rate of infection is decreasing.

Rates for new HIV diagnosis are also lower than the England rate.

The chlamydia detection rate in West Berkshire has been consistently lower than England since 2012.

This, says a report to the region’s health board, may indicate that chlamydia testing is lower than it should be, and the positivity rates could be higher.

It says certain populations in West Berkshire are disproportionately at risk of sexual ill health and are also known to face challenges and barriers in accessing mainstream services, for example young people aged 24 and under.