Sexual Health

Research suggests that sexual risktaking behaviour is increasing across the population. HIV prevalence in adults increased by 20% to 49,500 in 2002. An estimated 31% of people with HIV in the UK remain undiagnosed. New HIV diagnoses among heterosexuals continue to rise (by 27% between 2002 and 2003). New HIV diagnoses in gay men are also increasing. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) and affects an estimated one in ten sexually active young women. Infections reported in sexual health clinics increased by 9% to over 89,000 in 2003. If left untreated it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Other STIs are also increasing. In 2003, cases of genital warts increased by 2% to 70,883 and syphilis increased by 28% to 1,575. Delays in access to diagnoses and treatment lead to more people being infected with STIs. Nearly a quarter of all pregnancies in England and Wales end in abortion. Three in ten of these women have already had one or more previous abortions.

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