Level of sexually transmitted infections up by almost one-third in 2023

The number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increased by almost one-third last year, with young adults and gay men the worst affected groups.

The STI notification rate rose by 30.7 per cent between 2022 and 2023, from 346 to 452 per 100,000 population, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

Infections are becoming more common: last year, the chlamydia notification rate in women aged 20-24 years was over 2 per cent.

The continuing rise in STIs means Ireland is well off a target of reducing infections in 15-45 year-olds by 20 per cent by 2025.

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The HPSC has called for concerted efforts to reverse these trends, including properly funded sexual health services, increased awareness, stigma reduction and ensuring condoms, testing and other prevention tools are available at scale.

A total of 23,272 STIs were notified in 2023, including 13,711 cases of chlamydia, 6,824 cases of gonorrhoea and 1,687 cases of genital herpes.

Thanks to changes in sexual behaviour, vaccination and previous infection, rate of mpox virus fell 92 per cent last year, when just 13 cases, all in men, were confirmed.

The starkest rise in cases occurred in gonorrhoea notifications in woman aged 15 to 24 years, which increased by 152 per cent; for men of this age, the increase was 58 per cent, and for men who have sex with men, 36 per cent.

The overall STI rate in young people aged 15-24 years increased by 38 per cent.

Many other European countries are experiencing increases in STIs, which are attributed in part to wider availability of testing, including home testing.

Though readily treatable, STIs can lead to serious health complications if not treated.

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