Sexual health crisis warning
The Family Planning Association (FPA) has warned of a growing crisis in sexual health because of widespread ignorance of sexually transmitted diseases.
The association reports that despite public heath campaigns, people are not using condoms, and is calling for a national screening programme for chlamydia, the most commonly diagnosed STD.
Over 81,000 cases were diagnosed in 2002 .The 16-24 age range in both men and women have the highest rates of the disease, yet 60% admitted they had had sex without a condom in the past year. Chlamydia, which can cause infertility, has few symptoms making it hard to diagnose.
FPA chief executive Anne Weyman explained that screening for chlamydia in women under 25 years is essential but has been delayed due to a lack of significant and sustained investment.
‘This is a crazy, false economy on the part of the government considering that dealing with the consequences of untreated chlamydia, such as ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility problems costs the NHS an estimated £50m a year,’ she said.
The Royal College of Nursing is also supporting the call for a national screening programme.
