The state of Australia's sexual health

Chlamydia remains the most common sexually transmitted infection in Australia, while the rates of HIV have remained stable in the past five years.

sexual health

(Photo: Flickr Christina Souza) Source: Flickr Christina Souza

MOST COMMON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

CHLAMYDIA

* Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Australia.

* In 2016, there was a total of 71,751 notifications of chlamydia.

* Three-quarters (75 per cent) of chlamydia notifications were among people aged 15-29 years.

GONORRHOEA

* In 2016, there were 23,887 new diagnoses of gonorrhoea.

* Between 2012 and 2016, gonorrhoea notification rates rose by 63 per cent - from 62 per 100,000 to 101 per 100,000.

* Gonorrhoea rates increased by 72 per cent among men and 43 per cent among women.

* More men than women have gonorrhoea. The notification rate in 2016 was higher in males at 146 per 100,000. In females it was 56 per 100,000.

HIV

* The number of new HIV diagnoses in Australia remains stable.

* In 2016, there were 1,013 new HIV notifications.

* Three-quarters of cases occurred between gay and bisexual men.

* 20 per cent of HIV occurred as a result of heterosexual sex.

* About 25 per cent of HIV cases among gay and bisexual men in 2015/16 were diagnosed late.

* More than half (55 per cent) of HIV cases were diagnosed late in heterosexuals.

HEPATITIS

* There are an estimated 227,306 people living with chronic hepatitis C.

* 30,434 were cured of hepatitis C in 2016.

* More than 230,000 Australians live with chronic hepatitis B infection.

* Hepatitis B cases have declined overall by 27 per cent.

(Source: Annual Surveillance Report on HIV, viral hepatitis and STIs in Australia 2017, the Kirby Institute at the University of NSW)



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