Young adults warned of STI risks

Despite a decrease in new diagnoses nationally, The Health Protection Agency says young adults are still most at risk

YOUNG adults are still the most at risk from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the south east, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

Statistics released last Tuesday (June 14) by the HPA reveal that in the South Central Strategic Health Authority area, 28,084 new STI diagnoses were reported in 2010, an increase of 21 diagnoses from 2009 (28,063).

However, national figures show that 6,184 fewer cases were reported to the agency from sexual health clinics across the UK and community based Chlamydia testing last year (418,598) compared to 2009 (424,782) - the first decrease in new STI diagnoses in more than 10 years.

Professor Jackie Cassell, honorary consultant in health protection at the HPA in the south east, said: “The modest drop in STI new diagnoses is encouraging.

“However, the latest figures show that poor sexual health continues to be a serious problem among the UK's young adults, and among men who have sex with men, including those in the south east.”

Prof Cassell added that the number of sexual health tests had increased dramatically in recent years, providing greater knowledge of the sexual health of the local population, although she said a shift in behaviour was the only way to bring down the continued increase in infections.

She said: “It is crucial that young people continue to be exposed to messages about safe sex, condom wearing - every time - and the importance of getting checked at their nearest GUM clinic if they have had unprotected sex.

“Sexually active under-25-year-olds should be tested for Chlamydia every year or when they change their partner.”