BMJ 2001;322:1135-1136 ( 12 May )

Editorials

Sexually transmitted infections: control strategies

There's a new emphasis on reducing the period of infectiousness

Clinical Review p 1160

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and hepatitis B, remain one of the greatest global public health challenges. Over the past five years notable rises have been observed in the United Kingdom in the incidence of genital chlamydial infection (76%), gonorrhoea (55%), and infectious syphilis (54%)¹; such sustained rises have not been seen since the late 1960s and 1970s.² Similar increases have also been seen in other countries in Western³ and Eastern⁴ Europe and the United States.⁵ The highest rates of sexually transmitted infections occur among 16-24 year olds, particularly older teenagers.¹ Ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities in sexually transmitted infection rates exist in the US⁵ and the UK,⁶ with higher rates among black ethnic groups and lower socioeconomic groups. If we are to reverse these trends and reduce inequalities we need to understand their underlying determinants.

Some rises may reflect improved detection, particularly for genital chlamydial infection (with new diagnostic technologies), . . . [Full text of this article]

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Sanmani, L, Foley, E, Samraj, S, Rowen, D, Yadegarfar, G, Patel, R (2008). Patient-initiated delay at a genitourinary medicine clinic: are there public health consequences?. Sex. Transm. Infect. 84: 560-562 [Abstract] [Full text]  
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• Cassell, J A, Brook, M G, Mercer, C H, Murphy, S, Johnson, A M (2003). Treating sexually transmitted infections in primary care: a missed opportunity?. Sex. Transm. Infect. 79: 134-136 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Cassell, J A, Brook, M G, Mercer, C H, Murphy, S, Johnson, A M (2003). Maintaining patient access to GUM clinics: is it compatible with appointments?. Sex. Transm. Infect. 79: 11-15 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Lacey, H B, Higgins, S P, Graham, D (2001). An outbreak of early syphilis: cases from North Manchester General Hospital. Sex. Transm. Infect. 77: 311-313 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Clarke, J. (2001). Distressed women take contact tracing seriously. BMJ 323: 236-236 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Only limited evidence for chlamydia screening

Rudiger Pittrof
bmj.com, 18 May 2001 [Full text]

Simple process changes can reduce infectiousness

Amy Evans
bmj.com, 22 Jun 2001 [Full text]

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