The number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is rising worldwide and has become a major concern for health officials, according to a new report published Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The report highlights significant increases in cases of curable STIs, including syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.
Alarming Rise in STI Cases
The WHO report found that over 1 million adults between the ages of 15 and 49 are infected with one of these four STIs every day. Particularly worrying is the rapid increase in syphilis cases.
The number of new syphilis infections among adults aged 15 to 49 rose from 7.1 million in 2020 to 8 million in 2022.
Congenital Syphilis on the Rise
In addition to the rise in syphilis cases among adults, there has been a notable increase in the rate of congenital syphilis.
This occurs when a mother passes the infection to her baby during pregnancy. The rate of congenital syphilis per 100,000 live births per year increased from 425 in 2020 to 523 in 2022.
Global Trends Reflect U.S. Statistics
The global trends are mirrored in the United States.
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released earlier this year revealed that the total number of syphilis cases in the U.S. increased by more than 17% to 207,255 between 2021 and 2022.
This represents the highest number of reported cases since 1950.
Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea
Another significant concern highlighted in the WHO report is the rise in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea.
As of 2023, nine countries have reported elevated levels of resistance to ceftriaxone, a last-resort treatment for gonorrhea. Resistance levels in these countries range from 5% to 40%, posing a severe challenge for treatment.
Factors Contributing to the Increase
Several factors contribute to the rising rates of STIs globally.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made these issues worse, including a lack of regular screening and access to healthcare. The pandemic caused significant disruptions in routine health services, delaying STI screening and treatment for many.
“The rising incidence of syphilis raises major concerns,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement. “Fortunately, there has been important progress on a number of other fronts, including in accelerating access to critical health commodities such as diagnostics and treatment.”
Progress and Continued Challenges
Despite the worrying trends, there has been some progress in combating STIs. The number of new HIV infections globally decreased from 1.5 million in 2021 to 1.3 million in 2022.
However, the WHO notes that certain populations, including men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, transgender people, and those in prisons and other closed settings, remain disproportionately affected by HIV.
The WHO also noted gains in expanding services for STIs, HIV, and hepatitis, with several countries achieving the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis.
Recommendations for Addressing the Epidemic
To address the rising rates of STIs, the WHO report outlines several recommendations. These include:
– Decriminalizing and destigmatizing: Efforts should be made to decriminalize and destigmatize individuals affected by STIs and other infections.
– Strengthening Primary Prevention: Enhancing primary prevention efforts is crucial, focusing on education and awareness to prevent the spread of STIs.
– Improving Diagnosis and Treatment: Expanding access to diagnostic tools and treatment options will help manage and reduce the prevalence of STIs.
– Raising Awareness: Public health campaigns should be intensified to inform people about the risks and prevention methods associated with STIs.
The rising global incidence of STIs, particularly syphilis and antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea, is a significant public health concern.
While there have been advances in some areas, much work remains to be done to curb the spread of these infections.
By implementing the WHO’s recommendations and continuing to focus on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, the global community can work towards reducing the impact of STIs and improving public health outcomes.
The Information is Collected from ABC News and Yahoo News
