Research and analysis

HPR volume 16 issue 11: news (11 November 2022)

Updated 30 December 2022

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STIs and NCSP annual data release for England

New data on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and on screening for chlamydia, was published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in October, providing comprehensive and up-to-date information on STI diagnoses, sexual health service provision and chlamydia screening activity, in England, up to the end of 2021.

Commentary on the data for the calendar years 2020 and 2021 is provided in the annual report Sexually transmitted infections and screening for chlamydia: 2021 report which was published alongside 7 sets of data tables – covering the 10 year period 2012 to 2021 – on the Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): annual data tables official statistics web page.

The STIs and National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) data tables present breakdowns of diagnoses and tests (asymptomatic screens and symptomatic tests) by demographic characteristics and geographical region. Slide sets and an infographic are available (for use in presentations) summarising the STI and the NCSP data.

The data on diagnoses and testing is also available broken down by upper and lower tier local authority in England as part of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Profiles.

The report’s ‘descriptive analysis’ of the latest data highlights the most marked changes in new diagnoses and testing and screening activity, including that:

  • in 2021, there was a total of 4,002,827 consultations at sexual health services (SHS), a 15.7% increase compared to 2020 and an increase of 3.9% since 2019

  • in 2021, there were 1,949,940 sexual health screens (diagnostic tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) delivered by SHS, an increase of 18.7% compared to 2020, but a 13.2% decrease relative to 2019

  • in 2021, there were 311,604 diagnoses of new STIs among England residents, a similar number compared to 2020 (0.5% increase from 309,921) and a decrease of 33.2% since 2019

  • there were 51,074 diagnoses of gonorrhoea reported in 2021, a 1.7% increase compared to 2020

  • there were 7,506 diagnoses of infectious (primary, secondary, early latent) syphilis reported in 2021, an 8.4% increase compared to 2020

  • the impact of STIs remains greatest in young people aged 15 to 24 years, certain Black ethnic groups, gay and bisexual men, and men who have sex with men (GBMSM)

Through the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP):

  • 978,307 chlamydia tests were carried out among young people aged 15 to 24 years in 2021, a 4% increase compared to 2020

  • there were 87,905 chlamydia diagnoses in this age group, a decrease of 5% compared to 2020; test positivity decreased from 9.8% to 9.0%

  • the proportion of chlamydia tests delivered through internet services increased from 40% in 2020 to 43% in 2021; the proportion of diagnoses made through these services increased from 36% to 40% over the same period

Infection reports in this issue

Laboratory confirmed cases of pertussis in England: January to March 2022

Travel-associated infections in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 2020 and 2021

Vaccine coverage report

Shingles vaccine coverage (England): annual report of the financial year 2021 to 2022

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