A new report, published on April 20 by the Health Protection Surveillance Center (HPSC) shows a significant increase in STI infections in Ireland for 2022. The published data details that the high frequency of people contracting chlamydia (+20%) and gonorrhoea (+45%) is largely responsible for the growing number of detected STI cases, compared to 2021. This trend especially impacts younger people (15 – 24 year olds) and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM). 

In response to the findings, HIV Ireland warned that more investment in targeted and strategic preventive measures, such as improved education for younger people is needed in the effort to stop the rising numbers of infections.

The organisation’s Executive Director, Mr Stephen O’Hare, said: “Reported rising rates of STI infections in Ireland show no signs of abating following the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning greater investment is needed if Government is to realise its own ambitions of reducing onward transmission of STIs.”

He goes on to highlight the struggle testing clinics face today, saying: “We know that clinic and community-based STI services remain severely stretched with many services struggling to meet current or expected demand.”

Mr O’Hare adds: “We also know that notified cases of HIV, not detailed in today’s report but outlined in weekly published data by the HPSC, continue to rise in conjunction with other STIs, placing additional burden on clinics who are struggling to meet demand for preventive services, including access to PrEP [pre-exposure prophylaxis], which prevents someone acquiring HIV through sex.”

Since the trend outlined in the report of 2022 has continued into the first 15 weeks of 2023, O’Hare also comments on the situation for the public clinics, pointing towards the responsibility of the government: “We eagerly await publication of the forthcoming update of the National Sexual Health Strategy and urge the Minister for Health to ensure any such strategy is developed in partnership with clinic and community-based sexual health service providers and representative organisations.” 

He continues by saying the “Minister should also ensure that actions identified in the strategy are informed by data emerging from planned behavioural research studies set to be undertaken or published in 2023, including a general population survey for Ireland on sexual health”. 

Free home STI testing is now available for anyone living in the Republic of Ireland aged 17+

For more information and to order a kit, visit: https://t.co/5MGauVvz59#SexualWellbeing #GetTested #knowyourstatus @HIVIreland @_respectprotect pic.twitter.com/g6pWk9GXMV

— Man2Man Programme (@Man2ManIreland) March 28, 2023

Since October 2022, the Health Service Executive (HSE), in partnership with the online provider SH:24, offers free kits for at-home testing, which is integrated with public clinics, so users can easily access services for additional testing, treatment and management when necessary. 

It is recommended to get tested if you have symptoms of an STI, change your sexual partner, have multiple or overlapping partners or your partner has an STI. Further information and more free sexual health services can be found here and here (for gbMSM).