Page last updated: 29-JUL-2009
Sexual Health
Statistical Publication Notice
25 November 2008
Scotland's Sexual Health Information (SSHI) Report: 2008
INTRODUCTION
This is the fourth annual report produced by the Sexually Transmitted Infections Epidemiology Advisory Group (STIEAG), for Scotland. It continues the changes seen in last year's report whereby a number of different data sources were used to describe a wider picture of sexual health, rather than sexually transmitted infections (STIs) alone.
The aim of the report remains the same - to promote a better understanding of sexual health in Scotland.
The sexual health strategy for Scotland, "Respect and Responsibility", recognises the importance of information as a way of describing and understanding the sexual health of the population, and also monitoring change. This report is intended to contribute to this process.
2007 refers to calendar year.
It should be noted that some of the data in the report have been published previously. These are;
- Abortions
- Teenage pregnancies
- GUM data
- STI Laboratory data
- HIV Surveillance data
- Chlamydia Key Clinical Indicator Data
KEY POINTS
- Overall workload (all diagnoses, screens and conditions seen) in GUM clinics continues to rise; a 13% increase was observed between 2006 and 2007 - this is the same as that observed between 2005 and 2006.
The number of chlamydia diagnoses in Scotland, after increasing rapidly in first five years of this century, has remained stable over the past two years with a total of 17 928 in 2007. - HIV test uptake is increasing; the number of tests per year has more than doubled since 2003. Recent screening policies, both the opt-out and the antenatal screening policies introduced in 2003, have been effective at reducing undiagnosed HIV infection.
- While syphilis diagnoses among MSM have remained steady between 2006 and 2007, the 27% decrease in gonorrhoea diagnoses during this period is encouraging; it is too early, however, to know if innovative awareness-raising campaigns have had a sustained impact.
- There is a strong association between deprivation and rates of teenage pregnancy.
INTERPRETATION
In this report, the NHS board level data presented are based on the newly formed 14 NHS board areas. Comparison of data for Greater Glasgow & Clyde and Highland NHS Board areas with previous years will, therefore, be limited.
The rise in the number of detected STIs continues. Some of the rise is attributable to the success of efforts to encourage wider uptake of testing, for example chlamydia and HIV.
DETAILED FINDINGS
Workload:
Overall workload in GUM clinics (all diagnoses, screens and conditions seen) continues to rise; a 13% increase was observed between 2006 and 2007 - this is the same as that observed between 2005 and 2006.
Sexually Transmitted Infections:
Chlamydia:
The number of chlamydia diagnoses in Scotland, after increasing rapidly in first five years of this century, has remained stable over the past two years with a total of 17 928 in 2007. There were almost twice as many diagnoses in women as in men (ratio 1.7:1).
The number of chlamydia diagnoses in Scotland, after increasing rapidly in first five years of this century, has remained stable over the past two years with a total of 17 928 in 2007. There were almost twice as many diagnoses in women as in men (ratio 1.7:1).
Gonorrhoea:
In Scotland's GUM clinics, the number of diagnoses of gonorrhoea (864) decreased in 2007 for the first time in five years; this was due to the 27% decrease in infection diagnosed in men who have sex with men (MSM).
In Scotland's GUM clinics, the number of diagnoses of gonorrhoea (864) decreased in 2007 for the first time in five years; this was due to the 27% decrease in infection diagnosed in men who have sex with men (MSM).
Genital Herpes:
Since 2002, the number of new diagnoses in GUM clinics has risen steadily; a 43% increase has been observed. Of all new diagnoses of genital herpes in 2007, half of those in women and one third of those in men were made in those aged less than 25.
Since 2002, the number of new diagnoses in GUM clinics has risen steadily; a 43% increase has been observed. Of all new diagnoses of genital herpes in 2007, half of those in women and one third of those in men were made in those aged less than 25.
Infectious Syphilis:
In 2007, 249 infectious cases were recorded at GUM clinics; this is the highest annual total recorded since 1952, but represents a similar number of cases to that reported for 2006 (246). This infection predominates in MSM: 84% of all infections in men were among MSM.
In 2007, 249 infectious cases were recorded at GUM clinics; this is the highest annual total recorded since 1952, but represents a similar number of cases to that reported for 2006 (246). This infection predominates in MSM: 84% of all infections in men were among MSM.
Genital Warts:
In 2007, 7258 new cases were diagnosed; the annual number of new diagnoses has increased by 35% over the past ten years. In 2007, two-thirds of diagnoses of genital warts in women and half of those in men were among those aged less than 25.
In 2007, 7258 new cases were diagnosed; the annual number of new diagnoses has increased by 35% over the past ten years. In 2007, two-thirds of diagnoses of genital warts in women and half of those in men were among those aged less than 25.
HIV Infection:
In 2007, 453 new cases of HIV were identified in Scotland; this is the highest annual total of newly identified cases since recording began in 1984; there were 207, 224 and ten new reports of infection among MSM, among non-injecting drug using (IDU) heterosexual men and women and IDUs, respectively.
In 2007, 453 new cases of HIV were identified in Scotland; this is the highest annual total of newly identified cases since recording began in 1984; there were 207, 224 and ten new reports of infection among MSM, among non-injecting drug using (IDU) heterosexual men and women and IDUs, respectively.
Men who have sex with men (MSM):
A 27% decline was observed in the total number of gonorrhoea diagnoses between 2006 and 2007.
A 27% decline was observed in the total number of gonorrhoea diagnoses between 2006 and 2007.
Pregnancy and abortion:
The teenage pregnancy rate has remained steady during the past decade. In 2006 there were 57.9 pregnancies per 1000 females aged less than 20 and 8.1 pregnancies per 1000 females aged less than 16.
The teenage pregnancy rate has remained steady during the past decade. In 2006 there were 57.9 pregnancies per 1000 females aged less than 20 and 8.1 pregnancies per 1000 females aged less than 16.
Deprivation:
There is a strong association between deprivation and rates of teenage pregnancy. The most deprived groups have approximately ten times the rate of delivery as the least deprived, and twice the rate of abortion.
There is a strong association between deprivation and rates of teenage pregnancy. The most deprived groups have approximately ten times the rate of delivery as the least deprived, and twice the rate of abortion.
Abortions:
Over recent years, there has been a slight rise in the rate of abortions in all the teenage age groups.
Over recent years, there has been a slight rise in the rate of abortions in all the teenage age groups.
Although the rate of abortion in women aged over 40 has increased from 1.5 per 1000 in 1990 to 2.1 per 1000 in 2007, the rates have remained steady since 1994.
Contraception and fertility control:
In 2006/07 the Omnibus Contraception and Sexual Health UK survey reported that the youngest women (16 - 19) were the least likely to be using contraception. 63% of women in this age group were using at least one method of contraception compared with 73 - 84% of those in other age groups. Older women are more likely to rely on surgical rather than hormonal methods.
In 2006/07 the Omnibus Contraception and Sexual Health UK survey reported that the youngest women (16 - 19) were the least likely to be using contraception. 63% of women in this age group were using at least one method of contraception compared with 73 - 84% of those in other age groups. Older women are more likely to rely on surgical rather than hormonal methods.
CONCLUSIONS
The rise in the number of detected STIs continues. Some of the rise is attributable to the success of efforts to encourage wider uptake of testing, for example chlamydia and HIV.
Much of the increase probably results from a genuine underlying increase in the incidence of STIs, for example genital warts and genital herpes.
Young people remain particularly affected by the major acute STIs and should continue to be targeted for testing and prevention. The use of condoms should be encouraged in all age groups.
More accurate data on contraception uptake will be available with the implementation of the national sexual health system (NaSH) in GUM and Sexual and Reproductive health clinics. NaSH is currently being rolled out throughout Scotland.
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MAIN CONTACTS:
Jim Chalmers
Head of Programme WCHIP
0131 275 6136
jim.chalmers@nhs.net
Felicity Naughton
DASH Project Manager
0131 275 7148
zareena.rafiq@nhs.net
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GLOSSARY:
STI - sexually transmitted infection
GUM - genitourinary medicine
HIV - human immunodeficiency virus
AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
MSM - men who have sex with men
HSV - herpes simplex virus
HPV - human papillomavirus
IDU - injecting drug users
HPA - Health Protection Agency
KCI - key clinical indicator
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PRE-RELEASE ACCESS TO THIS PUBLICATION WAS GIVEN TO:
SGHD
NHS Board Chief Executives
Directors of Public Health
Sexual Health Epidemiology Group (SHEG)
Lead Genitourinary Medicine Consultants
Lead Clinicians for Sexual Health.
NHS Board Chief Executives
Directors of Public Health
Sexual Health Epidemiology Group (SHEG)
Lead Genitourinary Medicine Consultants
Lead Clinicians for Sexual Health.
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HISTORY OF THIS PUBLICATION:
Last Published: 27 November 2007
Next Due: November 2009
Data Avaliable Since: 24 November 2005
Main contact: 
jim.chalmers@nhs.net
jim.chalmers@nhs.net
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