2008 notifications of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses (BBVs) showed a number of improvements, according to the latest Surveillance Update from the NT Department of Health and Families Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses Unit.
The notification rate for syphilis decreased by 16.8% in 2008 when compared with 2007 and against a mild increasing trend seen in 2005-2007. Notifications for gonorrhea have decreased by 13.3% in the period 2005-2008.
"This is good news," said Wendy Armstrong, Head of the Territory's Sexual Health Program. "While the decrease is small it is significant, we hope that this can be sustained over the coming year.
"The release of this Surveillance Update coincides with a major public health campaign aimed at addressing the issue of chlamydia," said Ms Armstrong.
Chlamydia rates continued to increase, and notifications were greatest in the 15-24 age group, representing almost 60% of all notifications. This is line with the national trend; chlamydia infections are on the rise across the country.
"We are concerned about these notifications in young people," says Ms Armstrong. We have a number of strategies in place to inform young people about their risks of infection and to encourage them to seek testing.
The "Safe Sex No Regrets" campaign was launched in September 2008 aimed at reducing infection in young people. The 12-month campaign includes television advertising, posters, pamphlets, a website and a screen-saver to promote safe sex messages and raise awareness of the importance of regular sexual health checks.
Early indications are that the campaign has met with success: Clinic 34 in Darwin has reported a significant increase in young people attending for chlamydia testing.
There were 13 HIV notifications, up from seven cases in 2007. The majority of the HIV cases had contracted the infection overseas in high prevalence countries. The 2008 notification rates for hepatitis C were slightly down from 2007.
"Safe sexual practices such as using condoms and seeking testing at your nearest clinic are essential for helping limit the spread of STIs and HIV," Ms Armstrong added.
The 2008 Surveillance Update Vol 9 No 2 is available online at:
www.health.nt.gov.au/Centre_for_Disease_Control/Publications/Sexual_Health_Surveillance_Updates/index.aspx
Further information on safe sex practices can be accessed at www.safesexnoregrets.nt.gov.au
Media contact: Darrel Trueman, 0401 116 203
Release date: Friday 8 May 2009
