Increasing resistance and decreased susceptibility to antimicrobials used to treat STIs has reduced treatment options, and there are therefore emerging concerns – especially for gonorrhoea.
Young people aged 15 to 24 years old experience the highest diagnosis rates of the most common STIs, likely due to higher rates of partner change. 61% (132,324 out of 218,095 cases) of chlamydia and 36% (20,453 out of 56,259 cases) of gonorrhoea diagnoses are among young people.
Higher risk sexual behaviours, such as condomless sex with casual or multiple partners, are affected by social norms, attitudes and health…Data from the Natsal-3 survey also showed that people under the age of 25 years had higher rates of partner change than their older counterparts. This likely contributes to the higher diagnosis rates of bacterial STIs in the younger age group.
International evidence is clear that comprehensive relationships and sex education (RSE) protects young people from STIs and unplanned pregnancy, as well as some of the behaviours that make them more at risk, including non-consensual sex.
Statutory guidance for schools, published by the Department for Education (DfE) in June 2019, specifically requires that students at secondary level learn about:
the prevalence of some STIs and the impact they can have on those who acquire them
how the different STIs, including HIV and AIDs, are transmitted
how risk can be reduced through safer sex (including through condom use)
the importance of and facts about testing and treatment
how to get further advice, including how and where to access confidential sexual and reproductive health advice and treatment
PHE will be working closely with DfE and local authorities to support schools prepare for and deliver statutory RSHE. This will include providing local authorities with evidence-based information and local sexual and reproductive health data relevant to their populations.