Director of Public Health Annual Report 2011 - NHS North Somerset

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2011
Executive summary
The executive summary gives the main
findings from the information presented in
the report and the key issues identified.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed
sexually transmitted infection in North
Somerset, followed by genital warts, herpes
and gonorrhoea.
Chlamydia infection peaks in young people
aged 15-24 year olds, with 854 infections
diagnosed in that age group in 2010.
The rate of chlamydia infections in North
Somerset is much higher than the England
average. The rate of testing in men (17.7%)
is the second lowest in the England.
There is a strong link between alcohol, drugs
and risky sexual behaviour.
Treating sexually transmitted infections in
North Somerset costs in excess of £1.1m each
year.
HIV
In 2010 there were 104 people living in North
Somerset accessing treatment for HIV.
The number of people living with HIV is
increasing but the level of infection in North
Somerset is lower than the England average.
The most common route of infection in those
living with HIV in North Somerset was sex
between men and women (49%) and sex
between men (41%).
Black African groups and men who have sex
with men in North Somerset are
disproportionately affected by HIV.
In 2010, the total of HIV/AIDS treatment in
North Somerset was estimated at £1m.
Termination of Pregnancy
In 2010, there were 399 terminations of
pregnancy in women living in North Somerset,
a10% reduction from the previous year.
The termination of pregnancy rate locally is
lower than the England average and peaks
in the 20-25 age group.
It is estimated that £249,000 were spent on
abortions in North Somerset in 2010.
Teenage Pregnancy
Over the last ten years, teenage pregnancy
rates have remained low. They have
fluctuated but remained consistently within
the bottom third of the country.
In 2009 there were 123 teenage pregnancies
in those under the age of 18, with a
concentration in Weston-super-Mare Central
and South Wards.
Reducing teenage pregnancy is only possible
if action is taken to address the underlying
risk factors, such as poverty, educational
underachievement and low aspirations.
Sexual Assault
In 2010/11, 131 sexual offences (of which 23
were rape) were reported to the police by
people living in North Somerset. Many
offences remain unreported.
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