STD IN ALICANTE

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to rise in the Valencian Community, at the same time as throughout the country. This is reflected in the latest report “Epidemiological Surveillance of STIs in Spain 2023” published by the Carlos III Institute of Public Health (ISCIII) for the Ministry of Health. In it uptrend these pathologies. Valencian Community registered growth by 31% reported cases of STIs, including gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia. While 5,085 new cases of this type of disease were reported in 2022, a total of 6,655 cases were reported last year.

The most common disease in the Community is gonorrhea There were 2,832 cases diagnosed last year, a 34% increase from 2,118 in 2022. However, the one that grew the most in percentage terms over the past year was syphiliswith an increase of 49%, increasing from 680 cases to 1,012 new cases. Regarding chlamydiaAccording to the Ministry of Health’s ISCIII study, an increase of 23% was recorded, from 2,287 to 2,811 cases.

Infection rates for gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis in the Community are at their highest levels in seven years, with infection rates of 54.29, 53.89 and 19.40 cases per 100,000 inhabitants respectively. Although these pathologies continue to increase The community remains below the highest rates nationally. higher rates cases of gonorrhea infection were reported in Catalonia (165.3), Madrid (94.08) and the Basque Country (78.37). In contrast, the regions with the lowest scores are Aragon (9.24), Castile and Leon (12.59) and Extremadura (16.12).

The population most affected by STIs consists of young adult men, especially in the 20 to 34 age group, although there is some variation depending on the type of infection. For example, according to the same study published just a few days ago, chlamydia is more common in people under the age of 25.

Because?

Regarding the reasons that lead to an increase in STIs year after year, both at the level of the Valencian Community and at the national level, Dr. Ines Nuño de la Rosa, urologist at the Hospital de Elda, focuses on a combination of social, cultural and structural factors that interact in complex ways. Among the most notable, Dr. Nuño de la Rosa cites gender issues and the lack of comprehensive sexuality education, which she claims plays a “crucial role” in the problem, along with other factors that also contribute to the rise in STI rates.

Inside gender perspective There are traditional gender norms, especially those that promote “hegemonic masculinity,” which may encourage risky sexual behavior, according to experts. “Men, because social expectations of promiscuity and “sexual conquest,” they may have more sexual partners and avoid using condoms,” says Nuño de la Rosa.

Likewise, there is currently gender inequality in negotiating safe sex because “women often have less ability to negotiate condom use,” which can put them at greater risk for contracting STIs, according to the urologist.

Lack of sex education plays a fundamental role in the rise in STI cases, as its absence, according to Dr. Nuño de la Rosa, has left generations of misinformed young people for the prevention of these pathologies. “In many cases, education is focused solely on pregnancy prevention“not to mention using condoms to avoid STIs,” emphasizes the specialist. Thus, this misinformation has also led to the perception of low risk for STIs, since the long-term consequences of infections such as syphilis or chlamydia are unknown.

The ways of relationships in society have changed, which has led to the use applications and social dating networks that facilitate regular sexual contact, increasing the number of sexual partners and therefore – all as explained by Dr. Nuño de la Rosa – exposure to STIs. “These platforms promote quick sexual contactspromote riskier sexual behavior without necessarily encouraging condom use.

In the same way, the specialist points out antibiotic resistance Infections such as gonorrhea make some STIs more difficult to treat, increasing their persistence and spread. “Infections that were previously easily treatable may now become chronic or difficult to treat,” concludes Dr. Nuño de la Rosa.

Campaigns

The Ministry of Health, recognizing that the increase in STIs does not stop in each annual report, remembers that in provinces Alicante There are 25 sexual and reproductive health departments, as well as CIP, which are HIV, AIDS and STI prevention departments.

sexual health departments They offer a confidential space to talk about sexuality and offer advice on contraceptive methods. Similarly, CIP is involved in the early diagnosis of this type of pathology, health promotion, information and training of specialists. Therefore, the Ministry of Health has launched various campaigns, the latest of which is aimed at raising awareness among the youngest people about the use of condoms, as it is the most effective measure to prevent contracting the infection.

Considering these figures, which continue to increase from year to year, it is worth thinking about establish measures It is necessary to stop this alarming trend, which is developing uncontrollably.

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