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May 21, 2024

STIs pose challenges

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FA News Desk
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Global HIV, viral hepatitis epidemics and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to pose significant public health challenges, causing 2.5 million deaths each year, according to a new WHO report.

Data show that STIs are increasing in many regions. Four curable STIs – syphilis (Treponema pallidum), gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae), chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis), and trichomoniasis (Trichomonas vaginalis) – account for over 1 million infections daily.

In 2022, there were 230 000 syphilis-related deaths. Around 1.2 million new hepatitis B cases and nearly 1 million new hepatitis C cases were recorded.

New HIV infections only reduced from 1.5 million in 2020 to 1.3 million in 2022. Five key population groups — men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, transgender individuals, and individuals in prisons and other closed settings — still experience significantly higher HIV prevalence rates than the general population.

Globally, HIV treatment coverage reached 76%, with 93% of people receiving treatment achieving suppressed viral loads.

The report also outlines various recommendations to achieve the targets.