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25/11/2004
Increase in sexually transmitted diseases in NI
The number of people who have contracted HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Northern Ireland is on the increase, the Health Protection Agency has revealed.
In its annual report released on Thursday, Northern Ireland, like other regions in the UK, saw a continuing rise in new diagnoses of HIV and other STIs including syphilis and chlamydia.
In 2003 Northern Ireland saw the largest annual number of new diagnoses of HIV (32) in the province since surveillance began in the 1980s. There have also been 110 cases of syphilis, which was previously uncommon in Northern Ireland, reported between 2001 and June 2004, while chlamydial infections have increased by 12% during 2003.
Commenting on the report, Dr Henrietta Campbell, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, said: “The Department recognises that prevention is key to reducing the increasing burden of HIV/STIs and so we will be working closely with the Health Promotion Agency of Northern Ireland, and others, to implement our Sexual Health Promotion Strategy and Action Plan.
“The DHSSPS Strategy aims to reduce the number of new diagnoses of HIV/STIs by 25% by 2009, and proposes a range of actions under the headings of prevention, education and training, services and data collection and research.”
The trends in new diagnoses of HIV/STI in Northern Ireland are clearly the same as in Great Britain, according to Dr Raymond Maw, Consultant Physician in genitourinary medicine at Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
He added: “The increases in syphilis and new diagnoses of HIV are of particular note and can be linked to unsafe sexual practices, particularly in men who have sex with men and the changing demographics of our population. Chlamydia is a particular concern in young heterosexuals with the attendant problems of infertility.”
The cumulative total of HIV infected individuals, whose first UK diagnosis has been made in Northern Ireland, has reached 322 cases by 30 September 2004.
There are now 53,000 adults living with HIV/AIDS in the UK, over a quarter of whom (14,300) remain unaware of their infection.
In addition, there were 6,606 new infections diagnosed in the UK during 2003, 58% (3801) of these were amongst heterosexuals, with gay and bisexual men accounting for 26% (1,735).
(MB/SP)
In its annual report released on Thursday, Northern Ireland, like other regions in the UK, saw a continuing rise in new diagnoses of HIV and other STIs including syphilis and chlamydia.
In 2003 Northern Ireland saw the largest annual number of new diagnoses of HIV (32) in the province since surveillance began in the 1980s. There have also been 110 cases of syphilis, which was previously uncommon in Northern Ireland, reported between 2001 and June 2004, while chlamydial infections have increased by 12% during 2003.
Commenting on the report, Dr Henrietta Campbell, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, said: “The Department recognises that prevention is key to reducing the increasing burden of HIV/STIs and so we will be working closely with the Health Promotion Agency of Northern Ireland, and others, to implement our Sexual Health Promotion Strategy and Action Plan.
“The DHSSPS Strategy aims to reduce the number of new diagnoses of HIV/STIs by 25% by 2009, and proposes a range of actions under the headings of prevention, education and training, services and data collection and research.”
The trends in new diagnoses of HIV/STI in Northern Ireland are clearly the same as in Great Britain, according to Dr Raymond Maw, Consultant Physician in genitourinary medicine at Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
He added: “The increases in syphilis and new diagnoses of HIV are of particular note and can be linked to unsafe sexual practices, particularly in men who have sex with men and the changing demographics of our population. Chlamydia is a particular concern in young heterosexuals with the attendant problems of infertility.”
The cumulative total of HIV infected individuals, whose first UK diagnosis has been made in Northern Ireland, has reached 322 cases by 30 September 2004.
There are now 53,000 adults living with HIV/AIDS in the UK, over a quarter of whom (14,300) remain unaware of their infection.
In addition, there were 6,606 new infections diagnosed in the UK during 2003, 58% (3801) of these were amongst heterosexuals, with gay and bisexual men accounting for 26% (1,735).
(MB/SP)
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