Shocking statistics released this morning have shown that the number of sexually transmitted infections amongst the under-16s has soared in the past five years. Rates of Chlamydia infection have shown the biggest increase, jumping by 90%. Herpes, which is a chronic condition, has increased by 42% and there are now one third more cases of genital warts.
The figures were released by the GUM Clinics and the National Chlamydia Screening Program in response to a written questions asked by Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb. He said that the figures showed the government’s health spending cuts had put the entire younger generation in danger of a ‘sexual health crisis’ and said their attitude towards younger people’s sexual health showed ‘complacency’ and ‘short-sightedness’.
The Department of Health however defended the statistics, saying the increase was due to an increase in people getting tested for STIs. They pointed out that since 2003 – the point the statistics start – the Chlamydia Screening Program was rolled out. This means that during the five years, all primary health care trusts around the UK were putting more focus on getting at risk groups, especially the young, to get tested.
The statistics were released on a day when further attention was being paid to dangerous sexual practices amongst teenagers, after a judge ruled that the newspapers could publish the news that Alfie Patten, whom The Sun in February reported as being the youngest teenage father in Britain, was proved after DNA tests not to be the father of his 15-year-old girlfriend Chantelle Stedman’s baby.