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NEWS: STIs on the Rise in Britian
There has been a four per cent rise in the number of cases of sexually transmitted infections, according to the latest figures.
Statistics from the Health Protection Agency revealed a nine per cent increase in the number of cases of chlamydia, the most common sexually transmitted infection in Britain.
However, evidence suggests that the rate of increase is starting to slow – the number of new cases of gonorrhoea fell by three per cent last year – while some of the rise in overall cases has been attributed to increased public awareness and a greater number of people coming forward for testing.
However, complacency about condom use, long waits for treatment and increased numbers of sexual partners have also been cited as possible causes.
“If people have a number of partners, if they have casual sex and don’t take precautions, they are putting themselves and others at risk,” said Professor Pat Troop, chief executive of the Health Protection Agency.
“Individuals have to take responsibility for their own behaviour, and not take the risks that they are taking at the moment.”
Sex education must be improved, she added: “We are not giving young people the opportunity to discuss some of these issues so that they can handle the relationships and the problems they are going to encounter.”
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