The number of cases of STIs diagnosed in England has risen sharply, with particular concerns raised about the increase in cases in men who have sex with men (MSM), according to figures released by PHE.
The figures show that 439,243 patients were diagnosed with STis in 2014. Of this, chlamydia, with 206,774 new cases, and genital warts, with 70,612 cases, were the most commen diseases. However, syphilis and gonorrhoea saw the biggest increases in diagnoses, with rises of 33% and 19% respectively.
Dr Gwenda Hughes head of STI surveillance at PHE said: 'Health promotion and education to increase risk awareness and encourage safer sexual behaviour remain the cornerstones of STI prevention. Ensuring easy access to sexual health services and STI screening is a vital component in the control of STIs.'
The figures also revealed a notable rise in the number of diagnoses for STIs in MSM. In this group, there was a 46% increase in syphilis and a 32% increase in gonorrhoea. According to PHE, gonorrhoea is becoming harder to treat as new antibiotic resistant strains emerge.
A spokesperson from PHE suggested that this rise in the group was due to 'condomless sex associated with HIV seroadaptive behaviours, as has been reported in ongoing epidemics and outbreaks of LGV, Shigella species and syphilis, is leading to more STI transmission in [MSM].'
Dr Hughes added: 'We are particularly concerned about the large rises in diagnoses among MSM. Prevention work should continue to focus on people in the groups at highest risk of infection, such as young people and MSM.'
PHE has issued a number of recommendations to combat the spread of STIs. These include ensuring that MSM have a full HIV and STI screen at least annually or every three months if having condomless sex with new or casual partners, and promoting sex education in high-risk groups, particularly about the risks of unprotected sex and the need for correct condom use.