New STI statistics highlight urgent need for improved sex education

Marie Stopes International is calling for universal and comprehensive sex and relationship education to be delivered in all schools in a bid to stop the increase in sexually transmitted infections among young people.

It comes as concerning new figures from the Health Protection Agency show that STI rates rose by more than five per cent, with under 25 year olds most at risk of contracting an STI.

The Health Protection Agency has revealed that in 2009 a total of 482,696 new STI diagnoses were reported in the UK – 12,000 more new cases than were reported in 2008.

This included a:
• seven per cent increase in Chlamydia diagnoses (217,570 in 2009 up from 203,773 in 2008)
• six per cent rise in Gonorrhoea diagnoses (17,385 in 2009 up from 16,451 in 2008) five per cent increase in genital herpes diagnoses (30,126 in 2009 compared to 28,807 in 2008)
• Genital warts diagnoses stabilised decreasing by just 0.3% (from 91,503 in 2008 to 91,257 in 2009)
• Syphilis diagnoses also stabilised decreasing by just 1% (3,273 in 2009 up from 3,309 in 2008)

Some of the highest rates of STIs were found in the London boroughs, Brighton and Hove City, Nottingham City, Manchester, Blackpool, Heart of Birmingham, Southampton City and Liverpool.

Marie Stopes International has also experienced an increase in demand for its services in its nine British clinics (London, South London, Manchester, Bristol, Essex, Maidstone, Ealing, Reading and Leeds).

Helen Jenkins, Contraception and Sexual Health Specialist at Marie Stopes International said:

“We are extremely concerned about the reported rise in the rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK. It is clear that some young people are not fully aware of the prevalence of STIs and how they can protect themselves against getting one.

“We fear that STI rates may continue to rise, particularly among young people, without increased access to comprehensive sex and relationships education in all British schools.

“Many teachers tell us that they don’t have the confidence or information to teach sex and relationships education effectively, despite knowing that many of their students are sexually active.

“For sexually active couples, the most effective way to prevent STI transmission is to use a male or female condom.”

ENDS
Media contact: +44 (0) 20 7034 2069 (m) +44 (0) 7748 948 257

Notes to editor

Marie Stopes International
Marie Stopes International is Britain’s leading independent sexual and reproductive health provider, delivering services to more than 100,000 clients across nine centres each year.
Marie Stopes works to ensure that men and women can plan their family and have the information, tools and treatments to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections. Internationally, we deliver family planning and sexual healthcare to more than six million people each year in 43 countries. For more information, please visit our website www.mariestopes.org.uk

Categories: United Kingdom; Europe; HIV / STIs; Young people

25/08/2010

New STI statistics highlight urgent need for improved sex education

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