Key issues
New STI diagnosis (excluding chlamydia aged under 25) rate is considerably above national and regional averages and all are showing an increasing trend. Gonorrhoea and syphilis have re-emerged as major public health concerns, especially among gay, bisexual and MSM (men having sex with men). There has been a considerable rise in Gonorrhoea locally and regionally.
Chlamydia detection rate female aged 15 to 242 has reduced significantly since pre-pandemic levels. There were less detections of chlamydia in North Tyneside (1974) than the North East (2375), and England (2110) average. All rates are increasing following the 2020 post pandemic low, but are yet to return to the pre pandemic levels. Chlamydia proportion aged 15-24 screened has not recovered from the pandemic and remains lower than the North East and England.
Nationally inequalities are evident. The impact of STIs remains greatest in:
- Young heterosexuals aged 15 to 24 years
- Black minority ethnic populations
- Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM)
- People in the most deprived deciles
It is important that local services for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care of STIs are available to the general population, but target groups with greater sexual health needs.
HIV screening remains above regional and national averages whilst positivity remains below.
Abortion rates across various measures are showing an increasing trend, and whilst rates are often regional and national averages, this may warrant closer consideration.
Following a national decline in LARC prescribing during the pandemic, rates appear to have returned to pre-pandemic levels and prescriptions levels are positive within North Tyneside.