By Deborah Condon

The number of people contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Ireland continues to rise, with those aged between 20 and 29 most at risk, new figures from the National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC) indicate.

According to the NDSC, STIs increased by almost 8% in 2002, compared to 2001. The most commonly reported infections were anogenital warts, non-specific urethritis and chlamydia.

The biggest increase was seen in infectious hepatitis B, which rose by over 46%. The NDSC says this dramatic increase may be due to the introduction of various screening programmes, including the voluntary health screening of asylum seekers and the antenatal screening of pregnant women in some maternity hospitals.

However it also warns that the information currently reported on the disease is inadequate. More detailed information, including risk factor details, should be gathered through enhanced surveillance, in order to 'monitor and inform prevention and control strategies and to plan services', it says.

The continuing increase in cases of chlamydia is also cause for concern, according to the centre. During the last three months of 2002, 546 cases were reported, the highest number notified in any three-month period on record. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause infertility in both men and women.

The biggest decrease meanwhile was in cases of gonorrhoea, which dropped by over 38%.

Where the age group of those infected was known, over 12% were aged under 19 years, while 61% were aged 20 - 29.

Altogether 10,471 STIs were notified in 2002, compared to 9,703 in 2001. Of these, over 42% were from the Eastern Regional Health Authority area. The health board with the lowest number of notifications was the North Eastern Health Board, which accounted for just 0.02% of reported cases.

According to the NDSC, the increase in STIs during 2002 'is likely to be associated with an increase in unsafe sexual behaviour'. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that other factors have also contributed to the rise, such as the availability of more sophisticated testing methods.

"I would urge those who are sexually active to practice safe sex, as most STIs are preventable. STIs are easily treated if identified, but early diagnosis and treatment is important. If left untreated, irreversible complications including infertility and ectopic pregnancies can arise", said Dr Mary Cronin, a specialist in public health medicine with the NDSC.

During 2002, 14 STIs were legally notifiable (this list has since been updated), including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital herpes simplex, syphilis and trichomoniasis.