Safe-sex drive gets results as disease rate falls

THE Lothians has bucked the national trend with a fall in the number of sexually-transmitted infections recorded this year.

Cases of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the region dropped by nearly ten per cent, despite a rise across Scotland generally.

The fall follows a series of controversial initiatives in the Lothians, including giving condoms to children as young as 13 and providing free home-test kits for chlamydia.

Last year, more people were diagnosed with genital herpes and chlamydia in the region than at any time since 1997.

But in the first six months of this year there were 180 fewer cases of chlamydia in the Lothians compared to the same period in 2006, while the national tally rose by 206.

Dr Anna Glasier, lead clinician in sexual health for NHS Lothian, said: "I would like to think that we are getting the message across about safer sex but it is very hard to make judgements on the basis of one set of figures.

"We will continue to try hard to ensure that people protect themselves against sexually-transmitted infections, firstly through urging people to have self-respect and respect for others and secondly by encouraging the use of condoms."

Genital herpes is a virus and an outbreak often includes aches and pains, as well as discomfort when urinating.

Infection with gonorrhoea increases the risk of passing on or becoming infected with HIV - the virus that causes Aids.

Chlamydia - a bacterial infection - is easily cured with antibiotics if detected in time, but if not treated can result in infection of the reproductive organs among women. In men, it can lead to sterility if left untreated.

A spokeswoman for the Family Planning Association, the UK's leading sexual-health charity, said today: "People's awareness of chlamydia is now much greater.

"As a result, people are more likely to go and get tested, so that pushes up figures.

"In the Lothians there have been new initiatives, and [the figures] are indicative that [NHS Lothian] is winning in some respects.

"But it is important to get the message of safe sex across. Chlamydia is a hidden infection and it can have implications for fertility."

In recent years, NHS Lothian has greatly improved surveillance and screening arrangements for people thought to be at risk of sexually-transmitted infections.

Doctors and family planning clinics have been encouraged to make testing for chlamydia routine for all people under 25 and much more testing is being done.

The confidential C:card service involves handing out contraception to children as young as 13 at youth clubs and other venues, on condition youngsters talk to an adviser about safe sex.

At the time, the Catholic Church in Scotland condemned the service for making sex as easy as "having a pizza" for school- children.

Simon Dames, a spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland, today said it was "heartening" to see a reduction in chlamydia detection.

But he added: "This small bit of good news must be kept in focus. Stock markets and housing markets deal with long-term trends and the disturbing fact is that the long-term trend of the sexual-anarchy lifestyle is one of increased sexually-transmitted infections."