Latest chlamydia figures reveal 5 pc increase in UK
Diagnoses of chlamydia increased by 5 per
cent in the UK last year, figures released by
the Health Protection Agency this week
reveal.
The number of new diagnoses of chlamydia
in genitourinary medicine clinics rose
from 104,840 to 109,832 in 2005. Diagnosis
rates also rose by 23 per cent for syphilis, by
1 per cent for genital warts, by 4 per cent for
genital herpes and by 13 per cent for gonorrhoea.
Overall, the number of new diagnoses
of sexually transmitted infections rose by 3
per cent, from 768,339 to 790,387.
Peter Borriello, director of the HPA’s
Centre for Infections, commented: “Today’s
figures serve as a reminder for people to take
responsibility for their own sexual health and
that of their partners, and to use a condom
with new and casual partners. Quick diagnosis
is essential, so anyone who thinks they may
have put themselves at risk of contracting a
sexually transmitted infection or has developed
symptoms should seek advice from
their GP or go to a GUM clinic as soon as
possible.”
Meanwhile, a report published this week
by the Men’s Health Forum argues that the
Government is not testing enough men for
chlamydia and that this is leading to a cycle of
reinfection for women. The report also recommends
that pharmacists should increase
their role in sexual health services.
“Pharmacists should seek out opportunities
to work in partnership with chlamydia
screening offices and the independent sector
to explore ways to screen more men,” it says. “Further consideration should be given to
how the chlamydia testing kits made available
in the Boots pilot project in London are promoted
and made available in pharmacies in
order to increase the number of men tested.
An explicit aim of future pilots should be to
explore ways to encourage young men to opt
for chlamydia testing.”
Almost 20,000 people have used Boots
The Chemists’s chlamydia service so far, a
spokeswoman for the company told The
Journal. Men account for one in five of those
accessing the service and because partners can
be referred to the service for treatment —
even if they have not been tested — 42 per
cent of those treated are men, she said.
In addition, all the materials advertising
the service are aimed at both men and
women and emphasis is placed on the fact
that the diagnosis is made with a simple urine
test, as many men believe the test is more
involved than that, she said. Boots has also
launched in-store promotions to make it
easier for men to test, including placing
vouchers in the family planning and men’s
grooming products displays. These can be
taken to the counter to request a kit, avoiding
any potential embarrassment in having to ask
pharmacy staff for one. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
Reader