Increase in sexually transmitted infections in young people – 08/22/2023 – Health

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In recent years, doctors and health experts have warned about the increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs, formerly STDs). Growth is noted in all age groups, but young people aged 15 to 24 are at greater risk due to an aggravating factor: abandoning the use of condoms.

This week, we’re going to talk about the return of some of these conditions and the importance of sex education and prevention in the fight against STIs.

Young people at risk for STIs

In recent years, the country has seen a general increase in STIs, including in older age groups. According to the National Health Survey, by IBGE, 1 million new STI diagnoses were registered in 2019.

Syphilis, for example, went from a rate of 59.1 cases per 100,000 to 78.5 in 2021, and new HIV infections, which were falling in the country, slowed down the reduction and started to rise from 2019 Here.

Data from the Ministry of Health indicate that, in the last decade, more than 52,000 young people who had HIV started to develop AIDS. Meanwhile, condom use in this age group dropped from 47% in 2017 to 22% in 2019.

And even worse: the period of the Covid-19 pandemic saw the use of virtual relationship apps explode, with the practice of sex without a condom becoming indiscriminate among users.

But why the rise?

Health experts explain that this trend can be attributed to several factors, including behavioral changes, lack of adequate sex education and barriers to accessing prevention methods.

• Other measures, such as the drop in vaccination against some vaccine-preventable infections, such as hepatitis and HPV, may also help explain this increase.

A false sense of security is another behavior that can contribute to this increase. It is the same observed with other infectious diseases: the fact that they have not lived or had close contact with people who got sick and died of AIDS, for example, makes many young people minimize the risks associated with STIs.

sex education matters

One of the most effective ways to combat STIs among young people is the education.

• At school: the promotion of educational programs in schools and dialogue with the young public to provide accurate and relevant information about sexuality, risks and prevention is essential.

Condoms matter, but not only

Another point that scholars in STIs, mainly HIV/AIDS, highlight today is that condoms continue to play a vital role in preventing STIs, but they are not the only ones: there are other methods of preventing STIs.

1. Use of pre (PrEP) and post (PEP) exposure prophylaxis. Both prophylaxis and condoms are distributed free of charge by the SUS (Unified Health System).

two. Vaccination, especially against HPV. In 2022, the country had the lowest rates of HPV vaccination coverage, both in girls and boys aged 9 to 14 years.

The Health Folder it also promotes awareness campaigns and actions with the most vulnerable populations for the risk of STIs and during Carnival, for young people, and on the World Day to Combat HIV/AIDS, on December 1st.

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