Record rise in sexual diseases among promiscuous young adults

A culture of promiscuity among the young has sent rates of sexually-transmitted infections soaring to record levels, doctors have warned.

Almost 400,000 Britons were diagnosed with diseases from chlamydia to gonorrhoea last year - the highest number since current records began three decades ago.

Overall, around half of the infections were in under-25s, despite this age group accounting for only one- eighth of the population.

There were 397,990 newly diagnosed STIs in UK Gum clinics in 2007 - a six per cent rise across all age groups

The Health Protection Agency, which collected the figures, said promiscuity was partly to blame for the record number of cases, with casual sex increasingly becoming 'part of the territory' for young people.

Better tests and shorter waiting times at clinics also explain the rise, the agency said.

Others claimed the rising rates were fuelled by the Government's Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, which involves making contraception and sex education more widely available.

Since its introduction in 1999 the number of girls having abortions has soared, with some on their fourth before they reach 18.

Under plans revealed earlier this month, sex education could be given to children as young as four.

Government advisers claim 'gradual education' from then would help stop children rushing into sex when they are older.

Last year, 397,990 sexually-transmitted infections were diagnosed in those who had previously been free of infection - six per cent more than in 2006. Genital herpes saw a 20 per cent rise.

Rates of chlamydia and genital warts increased by seven per cent. The 16 to 24 age group accounted for 65 per cent of chlamydia cases, 55 per cent of genital warts and 50 per cent of gonorrhoea infections.

Almost 75 per cent of cases of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in women occurred among those aged between 16 and 24.

The HPA's head of sexually-transmitted infections, Dr Gwenda Hughes, said: 'Young people are disproportionately affected by STIs.

'This is because they are more sexually active, have more sexual partners, tend to have overlapping sexual relationships and are more likely to have casual sexual relationships.'

Professor Peter Borriello, the agency's chief expert on infectious diseases, said casual sex is increasingly becoming 'part of the territory, part of life' for young people and many more may be infected without realising it.

Sexual health campaigners said driving home the safer sex message is vital.

Julie Bentley, chief executive of the fpa (formerly the Family Planning Association), said: 'Education, information, accessible services and widespread STI testing are imperative in improving the sexual health of the population and especially the 16 to 24-year-old age group.'

But Norman Wells, of campaign group Family and Youth Concern, said the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy has encouraged young people to think they can engage in casual sexual relationships without consequences and has led to more sexual experimentation and more disease.

'The answer does not lie in yet more sex education and contraceptive schemes, but in honestly telling young people the only sure way to avoid being infected with an STI is to keep sexual intimacy within the context of a lifelong, mutually faithful relationship with an uninfected partner.'

Mike Judge, of the Christian Institute, said: 'Sex education has not gone down in the last few years, yet the figures for STIs continue to rise.

'We are robbing our youngsters of their innocence and it is time they got it back.'

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